With so much sport going on this year, it’s easy to forget that the Volvo Ocean Race, one of the hardest challenges in sailing, is to reach its thrilling conclusion next week.
Held every three years, the Volvo Ocean Race is a series of in-port and open-ocean races that culminates in Galway, Ireland, on July 7.
The event kicked off in Spain in October last year, and saw the 70 racing teams travel across the world – covering more than 39,000 nautical miles.
While the in-port races are always hard-fought, it is the ocean legs that ask the most of the competitors. Each yacht will have a crew of 11, all of whom will be pushed to the edge as they make their way from checkpoint to checkpoint.
Some stints will require racing to take place day and night for up to 20 days straight, leading to exhaustion, sleep deprivation and hunger.
After journeying around the world, with stop-offs in Abu Dhabi, Australia, Brazil and the US, the ninth and final leg of the epic race is due to start this weekend.
Kicking off on Sunday, July 1, the final leg will see teams race from Lorient, France to the Irish port city of Galway.
To mark the end of the race, Galway is hosting a week-long festival in the city. With comedy, music, and the opportunity to try your hand at sailing, Galway really knows how to throw a party.
Starting on June 30 and running until July 8, the Galway Festival is about so much more than just sailing. There really is something for everyone, with the Race Village offering top-class entertainment and on-water events, and the Global Village hosting fashion events, business expos and plenty more.
Even if you haven’t been following the Volvo Ocean Race, it’s not too late to get over to Ireland for its thrilling conclusion. What are you waiting for?
(Images: CAMPER, Sulmac, Jyothis, Thomas Gun)
