Boat race 'will showcase Galway'
The Green Dragon came fifth in the Volvo Ocean Race
Wednesday March 10 2010
Galway's successful bid to host the finish of the world's most gruelling boat race should be an inspiration to the nation, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said today.
The City of the Tribes fought off intense competition from 82 other ports to bring back the lucrative Volvo Ocean race in 2012.
"Ireland's success in securing Galway's place as the finishing stopover port in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011 - 2012 and our participation in the race confirms, once again, that this small country can compete on the world stage," the Taoiseach said. "Leadership and teamwork have key roles to play but, ultimately, it's about pride, self - belief and the will to win."
About 87,000 people visited Galway last year during the stopover bringing in 55 million euro to the local economy with 650,000 touring the harbour race village and 120,000 in Salthill for inshore racing.
The 2012 is expected to draw in bigger crowds as the race ends.
Other ports already selected for the prestigious event include Alicante in Spain where the race begins, Cape Town, Lisbon and Lorient in France while China and the US are expected to host stopovers.
Knut Frostad, Volvo Ocean Race chief executive, said the competition from ports across Europe had been overwhelming.
"I am very proud to confirm Ireland's participation and Galway will be a magnificent port to stage the finish of the event," Mr Frostad said. "We have already experienced the enthusiasm that abounds in Ireland for the race and we are looking forward to bringing the competition to its conclusion in a country that really knows how to celebrate."
Ireland's entry in the last Volvo race, Green Dragon, was a joint venture with China and finished fifth overall. It secured one podium in Galway finishing third after the transatlantic leg.
The Galway stopover is contingent on an Irish entry in the race and plans will be made to refit the boat for the race, due to begin next year. It costs about 15 million euro to keep a boat in the race.
