World’s largest powerboat race confirmed for Galway

Organisers of the Venture World Cup have confirmed the powerboat race will be coming to Galway in mid-June.

The event – which is the world’s longest powerboat race – is expected to see thousands of people line Salthill Promenade and Galway Port.

It will also see the city and the Wild Atlantic Way showcased to millions of viewers around the world as the race is syndicated to TV stations and streamed live.

Ambitious organisers believe the week-long event will be watched in person by more than one million people as it circumnavigates the country.

Details of the event, including dates for Galway, were launched in Dublin by Marine Minister Simon Coveney.

Competitors will arrive in Galway on June 14, and the following day, there will be in-port racing, where spectators will be able to get a closer look at the boats, which cost in the region of €1.3 million each.

It’s understood that a carnival-type atmosphere is planned for Galway Port, with stalls and entertainment to be set up.

The boats have top speeds equivalent to around 125mph.

With 25 teams set to take part with around 100 competitors, organisers expect there will be up to 1,000 participants and crew members in Galway during the event.

According to organisers: “The Venture World Cup will bring colour and spectacle, bravery and courage, sports-stars and personalities to over a million people as it travels around Ireland, and this in turn will be shared with millions more around the world.

“It’s the longest, toughest and most prestigious powerboat race. It’s an epic adventure where teams will be forced to meet the very toughest conditions the ocean can muster up over 1,000 miles of Ireland’s spectacular coastline.”

Following scrutineering in Cork on June 11, the first leg (in-harbour racing) takes place in Cork the following day, before setting off for Dingle on June 13.

On the 14th, the racers arrive in Galway, with a day of in-port racing here on the 15th.

The competitors then travel from Galway to Killybegs, Killybegs to Belfast and Belfast to Dublin, before the final leg, which is in-port racing in Dublin.