Tuesday 2 June 2009

VOR: Galway Glows in Celebration


Enda O'Coineen, Chairman Let's Do it Galway, presents the crew of Green Dragon with the award for third place for leg 7. Image copyright Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race.

by Volvo Ocean Race media

It wasn't as if an excuse were needed, but on Sunday night, Galway blew the doors off at the leg seven prizegiving ceremony. This was the crowning event on what has been an exceptional weekend of celebration oriented around the Volvo Ocean Race.

Perhaps it wasn't surprising that the loudest cheers on the evening were reserved for the hometown Green Dragon team, who were honoured for their third place finish on the leg into Galway. Skipper Ian Walker and his crew have been humbled by their reception here in Galway and Walker invited his entire team on stage to accept the applause.

The love for Green Dragon couldn't overshadow what was also a great night for PUMA. The Inmarsat Media Prize went to il mostro's Rick Deppe. And Casey Smith won the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics Seamanship Award. Of course, their second place finish into Galway was also recognised.

"We love it here," said skipper il mostro skipper Ken Read. "We're never going to leave!"

The top prize of the night belonged to Ericsson 4, who used the win into Galway to build a 14.5 point lead on the overall leaderboard. It was the fourth leg win of the race for Torben Grael and his team, and second on the trot. Ericsson 4 also won the 24-hour run prize for the leg.

The party raged on deep into the night on Sunday and with Monday a bank holiday in Ireland, the week will have a quiet start. But the start for leg eight is just six days away.

Leg Six prizes

Best 24-hour run - Ericsson 4, 539.5 miles

Eamon O'Cuiv, Minister for Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, presents the crew of Ericsson 4 with the award for 24 hour run for leg 7. Image copyright Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race.

Inmarsat Media Prize - Rick Deppe, PUMA Ocean Racing


John Warehand, PR Manager Inmarsat, presents Rick Deppe from PUMA Ocean Racing with the Inmarsat Media Award for leg 7. Image copyright Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics Seamanship Award - Casey Smith, PUMA Ocean Racing


John Speakman, Managing Director, UK Branch, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, presents Casey Smith from PUMA Ocean Racing with the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics Seamanship Award for leg 7. Image copyright Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race.

Leg Seven, 3rd place - Green Dragon


Enda O'Coineen, Chairman Let's Do it Galway, presents the crew of Green Dragon with the award for third place for leg 7. Image copyright Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race.

Leg Seven, 2nd place - PUMA


Des Murphy, Managing Director of Murphy Commercials, the official dealer of Volvo Trucks in Ireland, presents the crew of PUMA Ocean Racing with the award for second place for leg 7. Image copyright Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race.

Leg Seven, 1st place - Ericsson 4


Gerry Keaney, Senior Vice President VP Marketing, Sales & Service, Volvo Cars, presents the crew of Ericsson 4 with the first place award for leg 7. Image copyright Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race.


Volvo Ocean Race

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