The Second Coming: Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 to Finish in Galway

Face in the crowd: Torben Grael, skipper Ericsson 4, VOR 2008-09, walks past a Galway institution - McDonagh's Fish and Chip shop, Quay Street.
 
Following the huge success in Galway when it was the finish of the transatlantic leg of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09, it was today announced Ireland will again feature in the new route for 2011-12.  The fleet will race from Lorient in France back to Galway on Ireland’s west coast. 

Galway, whose twin town is Lorient, has fought an intense contest against the other bidding ports to win back the event for a second edition and the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 will complete its lap around the globe in Ireland’s ‘cultural heart’, where the final prizegiving will be held. 

The Taoiseach (the Prime Minister of Ireland) Brian Cowen stated:

“The 2009 stopover in Galway made an abiding impression on the sailors, support crews, organisers and media, who were immersed in the warmth of an Irish welcome.

Their presence, in turn, had an enormous beneficial impact on Galway, the west of Ireland and indeed the entire country. Their arrival here was spectacular and their visit helped generate a massive 55 million Euros for the regional economy, more than one third higher than the original projections.

Given its economic benefits and its importance to Irish tourism, I am more than happy to welcome the return of the Volvo Ocean Race to our shores and pledge our support for the event”.

The stopover in Galway during May 2009 fuelled the public imagination as never before.  Over 600,000 supporters visited the race village during the stopover, with the crowd peaking at 62,000 people on in-port race day alone.  The seaside resort of Salthill drew a further crowd of 120,000 to watch the dramatic close combat race from the shoreline.

Galway’s ‘home town boat’, Green Dragon, became Ireland’s second entry in the race - the first was NCB Ireland in 1989-90.  Double Olympic medallist, Ian Walker, guided the team to a fifth place finish overall and claimed the third spot on the podium when the fleet crossed the finish in Galway, delighting the huge crowd that had gathered to welcome them. 

“The interest in hosting the Volvo Ocean Race, particularly in Europe, has been quite overwhelming,” said Volvo Ocean Race CEO, Knut Frostad, as the last of the European ports was unveiled. 

“I am very proud to confirm Ireland’s participation and Galway will be a magnificent port to stage the finish of the event.  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,” he said.

Today's announcement completes the list of European cities hosting the event.  The remaining ports will be introduced throughout March.

Cometh The Hour - 'Miss Scarlett' Wins Spring Chicken 2010 Series in Style

10:00 am, Sunday 07 March 2010 - cometh the hour, cometh the final race of Dublin Bay Sailing Club's Spring Chicken 2010 - Race 6.

Starting the final race in 7th place and on 65 points for the series, the crew of Miss Scarlett - IRL 4763 (Jeanneau Sun Fast 40.3) headed for the start line outside Dun Laoghaire Harbour in the knowledge that, with two of the big guns in the Spring Chicken, Aztec - IRL 29832, RIYC,  RORC, (Archambault 35) and Team Windmill - IRL 8088, RStGYC (J109) in joint 1st place on 52 points each, their own chances of overall victory in the series were slim indeed. Nevertheless, having already grabbed Line Honours twice (Races 2 & 3), albeit from the 2nd of 4 starts, the crew realised they had a fast boat on their hands and were convinced that, once everyone committed 100% to the cause, a podium finish was still within grasp.

Timing their run to perfection at the starting gun 'Scarletts' were not to be intimidated by Yahtzee's - IRL 1068 (Beneteau Oceanis 411) flying of Munster Rugby's Red Army colours or overly dazzled by it's shinier bottom - secretly cleaned by a submariner in the marina the previous afternoon! With most of the fleet heading inshore from the start, Miss Scarlett opted for the left side of the course and cleaner air and reached Muglins in front at the end of the first beat. Heading downwind however, the crew of Miss Scarlett could see the inevitable charge developing from the rear as 30 Something - IRL 3007, (Beneteau First 31.7) lying in 2nd on the course, was being steadily hauled in by two of the A35s, Adrenalin - IRL 1348 and Another Adventure - IRL 3511, RIYC and J109s, Indecision - IRL 9898, RIYC and Jetstream - IRL 8109, RIYC as they made their way through the early starters. Miss Scarlett, sailing under white sails, poled out the headsail and goose-winged towards Scotsman's and the slalom element of the course as her main pursuers flew kites with varying fortunes. The shifting wind and sloppy sea proved tricky for some and tellingly the downwind section of the course resulted in the undoing of the pre-race favourites. To the surprise of Miss Scarlett's crew, nobody ever threatened her comfortable lead and Scarlett rounded the 'outfall' mark clear in front before completing the course with a short second beat to the finish line between Mac Lir (Committee Boat) and West Pier, Dun Laoghaire. Line Honours were Miss Scarlett's for the 3rd time in the series but who would win the overall prize would be anybody's guess at that point.

Back at the National Yacht Club, the after race party hosted by series sponsor Viking Marine was soon in full swing with spot prizes being awarded by McWilliam OneSails, North Sails and O'Brien Press. As always the warm hospitality of the club and staff was most evident and well appreciated by all. The banter and fun enjoyed at Miss Scarlett's table was echoed all around the room but how many crews were treated to a special end-of-series home baking treat to celebrate the event? Thanks Christine! Little did you think you could have spared yourself the trouble of icing the cake had you and the rest of us known Dublin Bay Sailing Club race organiser Fintan Cairns was soon to provide the best icing of all by announcing not just 1st Place on the day under Echo Handicap ('Fecho' Handicap as has been irreverently attributed elsewhere in deference to Fintan' s unique system!) but overall 1st to Miss Scarlett in the Spring Chicken 2010 series and presentation of the coveted Jasmin Trophy (courtesy Philip Smith, DMYC) to skipper Anthony Keane.

DBSC Spring Chicken 2010 Overall Results:

1st: Miss Scarlett - IRL 4763. 2nd: Pippa IV - IRL 4281. 3rd: Aztec - IRL 29832.

Full Race 6 Echo Handicap Results HERE

Race 6 Photo Gallery HERE

Lorient to be Penultimate Stopover in Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12

      Lorient, Brittany on the northwest coast of France will host the Volvo Ocean Race in the summer of 2012. It will be at the end of a 700 nautical mile leg from Lisbon. Lorient will be the penultimate stopover in the race.
      Groupama, skippered by Franck Cammas, who is currently taking on the Jules Verne Trophy, has Lorient as its home base and will be France’s entry in the next two Volvo Ocean races. Ireland's Damian Foxall will form part of Groupama's crew as watch leader.
 

Great YouTube video below showing what we can expect from Lorient HERE.

NOTICE - Scheduled Maintenance of Website

      SAILPIX IRELAND Galleries will be undergoing scheduled maintenance on Friday, March 5th, between 07:00 and 13:00 UTC (Thursday, March 4th, between 23:00 and 05:00 Pacific Standard Time). 
      Service may be inaccessible or slow during that time; apologies for any inconvenience. The Hompage/Blog will not be affected.
- Webmaster.

Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better. Samuel Johnson 1709-84.

Update: Maintenance is now complete.

DBSC Spring Chicken 2010 - Race 5

Out in front
       Increased blood circulation was certainly in evidence on Sunday 28th February in Dublin Bay when DBSC's keenly contested Spring Chicken Race 5 went ahead as scheduled. The lengthened course this week seems to have played into the hands of the bigger boats in the 4th start. For the second week in a row Line Honours were taken in style by one of the more experienced racing crews, this time by Adrenalin - IRL 1348 (Archambault 35). Despite being pushed hard by Team Windmill - IRL 8088, RStGYC (J109) and last week's winner Orna - IRL 532, NYC (Grand Soleil 40), the race was testament to a near flawless mastery of the prevailing conditions by Adrenalin. Did the winners hold a secret weapon in the form of one or two new faces seen on board this week?!
       Further down the fleet the drama was equally intense as a close encounter between the series leader (at the end of Race 4) Pippa IV - IRL 4281, (Sigma 33) and Lula Belle - IRL 3607, NYC, ICC (Beneteau First 36.7) led to the former's sails luffing at the windward mark. With a number of other boats arriving at the mark in quick succession, including Miss Scarlett - IRL 4763 (Jeanneau Sun Fast 40.3), Fflogger - IRL 3773, NYC (Flying Fifteen), Lara - IRL 1902 RIYC (Bavaria 33) and Golden Girl -  IRL 139 (Ruffian 23), manoeuvring space diminished as pulse rates rose! In avoiding Pippa IV, which was by then in irons, Miss Scarlett - with nowhere else to go - gave the floating course mark a gentle bump. The incident cost Miss Scarlett a 360 penalty, carried out once clear of her pursuers. Pippa IV quickly recovered and with a slick spinnaker heist was back into the fray. No harm done, just more grist to the mill and added spice to the burgers in the après sail analysis back at the National YC!
      Finnegan's Wake - IRL 2008, NYC (Grand Soleil 37) was Race 5 winner on corrected time.  Meanwhile Team Windmill and Aztec - IRL 29832, RIYC, RORC, (Archambault 35) moved into joint overall 1st place on 52 points in this year's Spring Chicken series but have they peaked too soon? Sarnia - IRL 2260, NYC (S&S 36) lies in 3rd on 53 points. With Pippa IV and Valhalla - IRL 1273, RIYC (Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32i) lying in equal 4th on 58 points the stage is set for a thrilling climax in next Sunday's DBSC Spring Chicken 2010 - Race 6.

Full Spring Chicken 2010 - Race 5 Echo Handicap Results HERE

Race 5 Photo Gallery HERE

Lisbon to be end of Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 Transatlantic Leg

      Lisbon has been chosen as the first European port for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12. It will be the finish of the transatlantic leg of the race during the summer of 2012. The second European port will be announced on Wednesday 03 March. The entire route will be revealed by the end of the month.
      What odds now on a return visit of the Volvo Ocean Race to Galway in 2012?

DBSC Spring Chicken 2010 - Race 4

Following overnight snow flurries, Race 4 of Dublin Bay Sailing Club's Spring Chicken 2010 was keenly contested on a chilly Sunday morning, 21st February. Nowhere was the enthusiasm of the participants more evident than at the start, particularly amongst the tightly packed J109 entrants. Orna - IRL 532, NYC (Grand Soleil 40), stayed clear of trouble and started at the pin end of the line. After making steady progress in the initial windward leg, Orna was uncatchable downwind under spinnaker and rounded Muglins with only Just Jasmin - IRL 3506, DMYC, SHSC (Bavaria Match 35) ahead. Orna completed its dominance in the final windward leg and grabbed Line Honours at the finish outside Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

Congrats to Moonfish - IRL 3107 (Beneteau Oceanis 411) Race 4 winner on corrected time and to Pippa IV - IRL 4281 (Sigma 33) now lying 1st overall in the event. Race 4 Echo Handicap results HERE.

Race 4 Photo Gallery HERE

Cape Town is First Stopover Port for Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012

The racetrack for the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race, due to start from Alicante in Spain in autumn 2011, is now set and the first port of call will once again be Cape Town, South Africa. This marks the beginning of the port announcement process for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. The rest of the course will be revealed before the end of March. Over 80 bids from ports around the world, including Galway, want to host the event.

Leg 1 at 6,500 nautical miles, which in 2008-2009 took the eventual race winner Ericsson 4 almost 22 days to complete, is one of the longest in the race and historically the team that wins this leg has gone on to claim the winner's trophy.

The European ports of call for the Volvo Ocean Race in 2012, including the finish port, will be the next to be announced and the entire route is set to be revealed before the end of March.


Update 26 Feb 2010: A press release will be issued at 1200 GMT/1300 CET on 01 March and 1100GMT/1200 CET on 03 March.

Furl Her On The Which?

Furling the jib on Miss Scarlett - IRL 4763 (Jeanneau Sun Fast 40.3),  a scene from Race 4, Dublin Bay Sailing Club's Spring Chicken 2010 on Sunday 21 February.

DBSC Spring Chicken 2010 - Race 3

Mother nature continued to smile on Dublin Bay Sailing Club's Spring Chicken 2010 series. Race 3 was held on Sunday 14 Feb 2010 in perfect conditions as we reached the halfway mark of the series.
This week's race was sailed over a new and longer course which provided plenty of technical challenges and additional enjoyment in equal measure. To the delight of early strollers turned spectators on East Pier the fleet sailed close to the harbour mouth after rounding the leeward mark at the end of each lap.

For Miss Scarlett - IRL 4763, which clearly loves to win, it was business as usual as St. Valentine presented the crew with Line Honours for the second consecutive week! The crew's chances had certainly been bolstered by the addition of two new crew members for the occasion. One of them must certainly be in the running for the title of 'Youngest Spring Chicken' in the history of the event!?

Race 3 winner under Echo Handicap was Pippa IV - IRL 4281 (Sigma 33). After three races, Team Windmill - IRL 8088, RStGYC (J109) lies in overall 1st place after a masterful performance this week.

Full DBSC Spring Chicken 2010 Race 3 Echo Handicap Results HERE.

Race 3 Photo Gallery HERE

Alinghi 0 - BMW Oracle Racing 2

Bending the wind with a revolutionary wing sail in the 33rd America's Cup - follow the story of BMW ORACLE Racing's victory HERE.

DBSC Spring Chicken 2010 - Race 2

Race 2 took place on schedule on Sunday 07 Feb 2010. True to his word Spring Chicken race organiser Fintan Cairns included a long beat to the Muglins in a change of course this week with both the start and finish lines at Scotsman's Bay.

Line honours went to Miss Scarlett - IRL 4763 (Jeanneau Sun Fast 40.3) and crew, followed all the way by Just Jasmin - IRL 3506, DMYC, SHSC (Bavaria 35 Match). 1st this week under Echo Handicap was Aoife M - IRL 7130 (Beneteau First 31.7).

Full DBSC Spring Chicken 2010 Race 2 Echo Handicap Results HERE.

Race 2 Photo Gallery HERE