Preparations for the Galway stage of the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race kicked off in style last Wednesday with the official launch at the Radisson SAS Hotel. In attendance on the day was Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, who was excited to welcome the race to Irish shores.

Mermaid Tara launches Galway as the host port for the Volvo Ocean Race 2008 Ð 2009 on Eyre Square on Wednesday morning. Photo: Reg Gordon

"I am delighted to be here on what is a historic event in Irish sailing. It is a significant day, not just for Galway, but for Ireland as a whole, to be involved with one of the biggest sporting events on the globe," stated Minister Cullen.

The Volvo Ocean Race, formerly the Whitbread Race, is the world's premier round the world yacht race. The 2008-2009 edition will see the teams set off from Alicante in Spain in October and heading for Cape Town on the southern tip of South Africa. From there the race will take in the Indian port of Kochi, Singapore, Quingdao in China, Rio de Janeiro and Boston before arriving in Galway next May.

Debbie Hadwin of Volvo Ocean Racing said they were very much looking forward to coming to Galway; "The stretch of race from Boston is one of the most inhospitable places in the world but what a wonderful thing to come to a place like Galway.

"We're really looking forward to coming over to Galway next year for the warmth, friendliness, outstanding hospitality, the stunning scenery and the humour which is so renowned in Ireland, we know it's going to be a fantastic stopover."

Let's do it Galway, the organising company behind the Galway stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race has been working on plans for over a year. Some of the logistics include marshalling up to 500 vessels on the water to welcome and say farewell to the race with the assistance of 40 RIBS (rigid inflatable boats), provision of almost 1km of pontoons for berthing boats, 2,000 metres of cabling for the village and 1,000 metres of fencing.

Jamie Boag, CEO of Let's do it Galway was also more than happy to detail what the event would mean to Galway; "With the help of Failte Ireland and the Government, Galway is in the company of Singapore, Rio de Janeiro, some of the greatest cities in the world.

"By bringing the Volvo Ocean Race to Galway, we're bringing a sporting event of a world class standard, but we're using it as an excuse to have a festival. We hope to make Galway proud, make the west of Ireland, and Ireland proud."

According to organisers, the key events planned to showcase the city and region's cultural heritage are a mix of sailing and land-based activities including in-port races, with all of the teams competing for some of the valuable points and a three-acre tented village incorporating open air concerts, hospitality and cultural events. Galway will present street parades, visits by school and youth groups along with a constant presence of sail and pleasure craft on Galway Bay including the tall ships Jeanie Johnston and Tenacious.

Galway Bay and Docks will be transformed with the arrival of the spectacular Volvo 70 Fleet following their high-speed voyage across the Atlantic from Boston. A raised viewing platform will be constructed on the quayside to allow visitors to witness these high-performance craft at close quarters. The Race Village will also feature an open-air market and a tented extension of the City's Latin Quarter. Gourmands will have the unique opportunity to sample the local 'fruits de mers' as the City comes alive with 'the the razzmatazz and buzz' of a country and a region at play.

Chairman of 'Let's do it Galway' John Killeen said "We are proud to be hosting a global sporting event such as the Volvo Ocean Race which will be watched by a worldwide audience of over 1.8 billion. Let's do it Galway has been working with Fáilte Ireland and the local administrative and State agencies – Galway City Council, Galway Harbour Company and Fáilte Ireland West to make the visit of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 the most successful sporting event in the history of the State."

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