Blustery departure

Volvo Ocean Race sets sail from Galway

After a phenomenal stopover in Galway that lived up to all expectations, today's start of the Volvo Ocean Race's eighth leg was spectacular, the course taking the boats 1250 miles from Ireland across the Celtic Sea, up the English Channel round a mark off Rotterdam and on to the pitstop at Marstrand, Sweden.

As the crews bid farewell to Ireland, the winds were the strongest for a VOR start since the departure of leg 1 last October from Alicante with gusty 20-25 knot northerlies. In this the race committee set a downwind start for the short leeward-windward around Galway Bay before the boats headed off down the coast. Prior to the boat's departure from Galway Harbour Irish premier Mary McAleese took the opportunity to view the fleet. She wished all skippers personally good luck, before they left the dock.

In front of thousands of spectators the seven Volvo Open 70s hoisted their asymmetric kites hauling the mail down the course at 20 knots. Thankfully it was the local heroes, Ian Walker's team on Green Dragon, that was first to the leeward mark with Ericsson 4 and Telefónica Blue neck and neck behind, the Volvo Open 70s covered the 2 nautical miles to the downwind mark in just eight short minutes.

Ian Walker commented: "When I saw the welcome we received on arriving in Galway I was speechless, but when we left two weeks later it was with tears in my eyes. I knew Galway was a great city and a city that loves to party, but never in my wildest dreams did I think Galway and Ireland would bring so much to the Volvo Ocean Race. I can only say ‘thank you’ from all of us, for such a wonderful two weeks. The harsh reality of the Volvo Ocean Race is that no sooner do we get comfortable and enjoy a town, then it is time to leave. By now we are used to the drill.

"It was a spectacular start and thanks to some good crew work we had the thrill of leading at the first mark. I really think downwind starts should be encouraged at every stopover as it allows the spectators to see the boats in all their glory. There were, once again, hundreds of spectator boats and a 'cup final' atmosphere on the water.

"What fantastic memories we have of Galway Bay and I look forward to returning soon. Thank you Ireland, thank you Galway."

Ericsson 4 grabbed the lead on the upwind leg back towards the shoreline and was ahead by six to eight boatlengths around the second mark before setting the asymmetric spinnaker again for a fast ride out the bay, past the Aran Islands and down the west coast of Ireland. She was followed at the top mark by Green Dragon, Telefonica Blue, Puma and Telefónica Black. Ericsson 3 and Delta Lloyd followed further behind playing catch up to the rest of the fleet.

"Everyone's well rested and ready to go," said Ericsson 4 skipper Torben Grael prior to the start. "It's been tempting to party every night with such a nice atmosphere in the town, but everyone's prepared for the leg."

Ken Read's team on Puma were third away. Read commented: “We would just like to thank all of Galway, you guys are the best. This has been one of the best stopovers we have ever had. All of Ireland has been so supportive, thank you so much. The enthusiasm of this place is overwhelming. It’s been a dream trip for the Puma team.

“We’re not going to get much sleep in the next four or five days, it’s going to be full on. This is going to be fun racing. It will be good to get back into coastal sailing again, which is very different to ocean racing. We have to adapt to this different style, and I think the crew’s ready for that. There are a lot of traps out there – tidal traps as well as weather traps. As always, the best boat will win.

“Finishing the last leg into Galway in second place after breaking one of our rudders was a testimony to the boat itself and the crew. Winning the In Port race last weekend - our first big win - was fantastic, and then on Sunday we won all three Pro-Am races as well. The Puma program is in a good spot right now, there’s a great vibe here. We just have to keep this momentum going. It’s kinda emotional for all of us, seeing how revved up this place is; the last two weeks have been great. We’re very sad to leave.”

Down the west coast of Ireland, the breeze is forecast to pick up to 20-25 knots. That means a high speed and quick passage past the Fastnet Rock at about midnight. The crossing of the Celtic Sea to Land's End will be a wild one with 20 knots of wind. Delta Lloyd's shore based router Frits Koek said: "They will be there tomorrow morning around 0800. It is not sure what comes next, as there are two possible scenarios. If the American weather model is right, the VO70s will keep the good westerly pressure and they will probably opt for the English side of the Channel. If the European model is going to prevail, the breeze will be lighter and variable. In that case, the French coast is more favorable."

According to the current routing, the fleet will reach the Delta Lloyd Gate Race close to Hoek van Holland on Tuesday at about 0500-0600. "Hopefully I won't be too busy with sail changes, so I can enjoy it", said Delta Lloyd bowman Gerd-Jan Poortman. His fellow countryman and trimmer Ed van Lierde is also looking forward to sailing home: "I can't wait and I heard that my girlfriend will be onboard of the Tommy Hilfiger Extreme 40."

Skipper Bermúdez de Castro commented: "There are many important factors, such as the strong currents and the shipping. You need to stay concentrated, as you can change course every 60 miles. Our aim is to fight with the fleet for a good result."

Leg eight of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 is expected to take five days to complete, with the fleet estimated to arrive in Marstrand, Sweden on Wednesday 10 June.