 | VOLVO'S SUPPORT FOR SAILING EXTENDED
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 As Galway has now been named as the first European stopover for the Volvo Ocean Race 2008/09, it is no surprise to learn that Volvo has been involved with sailing, both nationally and internationally, for many years. The Volvo Ocean Race itself first took off in 1973, when as the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, it was the first ever global crewed yacht race.
Volvo first became involved with the race in 1997, when 10 teams fought intensely for the Volvo Trophy, which was first won, that year, by American first timer Paul Cayard – a superb achievement. Since 2001, the race has been called The Volvo Ocean Race, but the ingredients of the competition remain the same – ingenuity, skill and sheer courage – and the 2008/2009 race will be no different. The Volvo Ocean Race is not Volvo’s only involvement with sailing in Ireland. From sponsoring children’s sailing, Optimist Dinghies, in the early 1990s through to the 2007 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, via supporting ‘Northabout’, the Irish Team, that made the first westward polar circumnavigation in 2005. Volvo Car Ireland is a keen supporter of Irish sailing and believes that the talent and passion of Ireland’s sea lovers is key to this support. Commenting on Volvo’s support of sailing in Ireland, David Baddeley, Managing Director, Volvo Car Ireland, said: “ Volvo believe it is a good time to give something back to an activity that so many of our customers and their families are involved in, from youngsters racing Optimists at weekends all the way through to the highest level of International competition. Club racing should be about safe excitement and this is exactly what we seek to deliver with Volvo Cars.” The Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Galway is not only an exciting prospect for local sailors, but also for local business. The 2005-06 start from Vigo, in North-western Spain, generated €61million for the Galicia region. Prior to the Galway stop the boats will be coming from Boston and race organisers are already predicting a possible 24-hour speed record between Boston and Galway as the boats race along the Gulf Stream. Confirmed stopovers for The Volvo Ocean Race 2008/09 so far are Boston, Galway, China and India. For further details on the Volvo Ocean Race, please vitas www.volvooceanrace.org or for information on the upcoming Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, log on to www.dlregatta.org
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