In the build-up to the Volvo round-the-world yacht race festival, Galway yesterday welcomed the first boat home in a new round-Rockall race from the city and back.In the build-up to the Volvo round-the-world yacht race festival, Galway yesterday welcomed the first boat home in a new round-Rockall race from the city and back.
A German yacht named after a German bank was first boat back yesterday, but a Cork single-handed sailor may win the race overall on corrected time.
Bank Von Bremen, a high-performance racing yacht with nine crew, passed the Aran island of Inis Mór shortly after midday yesterday and arrived in Galway docks in the early afternoon. It had been leading the 750-mile race as far as Malin Head.
Its competitors wre two single-handed Irish sailors – Corkman Barry Hurley in a JOD 35 Dinah, and Jamie Young of Connemara’s Killary Adventure Centre in his 49ft Killary Flyer.
Ownership of Rockall is still the subject of dispute between Ireland, Britain, Denmark and Iceland.
All three craft left Galway on Sunday to take part in the event, organised by Galway Bay Sailing Club’s Larry Hynes and Aodhán Fitzgerald in the run-up to the Volvo Ocean Race festival.
The Volvo Ocean Race week opens in Galway tomorrow.
The fleet is expected to arrive for the race finish next Tuesday.
