Euro powerboat races may follow success of Volvo

Date Published: 12-Jun-2009

THE huge success of the Galway Stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race has positioned the city as a world class marine destination with the potential to attract several other major maritime events, races and festivals which could generate millions of euro for the local economy in the coming years, according to Galway Harbour Company.

The organisers of the prestigious European Powerboat Championships visited the city during the two weeks of the Volvo Race and were ‘sussing-out’ Galway as a potential destination to hold their next annual event, according to Galway Harbour Master, Captain Brian Sheridan.

Capt. Sheridan told the Galway City Tribune that informal discussions and preliminary contact has also already taken place with organisers of other major European and World maritime races and festivals – including Admirals Cup, Velux Five Oceans, Louis Vuitton Challenge Series, Figaro Series, Clipper Round the World Race and Tall Ships Race – with a view to them coming to the city.

He said although no other event is finalised yet, Galway could now be considered a serious player in maritime events and will be vying for a slice of the €50 billion that is generated in the European Union every year as a result of maritime festivals.

In addition, Capt. Sheridan said the biggest legacy of the Volvo Ocean Race was it captured the hearts and minds of the people of Galway and has irrevocably changed peoples’ perception of what benefit the harbour can add to the city.

He added…