VOLVO OCEAN RACE SETS SAIL FOR GALWAY

Date Published: 05-Nov-2011

Galway is set for a major tourism boost as the Volvo Ocean Race officially set sail from the starting line in Spain this afternoon [Nov 5].

The final stopover for the round-the-world ocean yacht race will be hosted in the city next July and is expected to attract over 600 thousand visitors.

The race got underway in Alicante at 1 this afternoon where a crowd of 60,000 watched as Spain’s Prince Felipe set the six boats on their way.

Galway City Mayor Hildegarde Naughton watched the in-port leg of the race from a spectator boat in Alicante harbour.

She told Galway Bay fm news that the Irish entry "Team Sanya" is ready for the challenge and looking forward to a huge welcome party in Galway next July.