Volvo Ocean Race 2012

squonk · 02-05-2012 1:10pm

I hear Handel is composing a follow up to The Royal Fireworks, called The Galway Yacht. I'm told he'll be conducting a public performance given by the Orchestra from the Titanic!

Shakti · 02-05-2012 1:23pm

squonk wrote: »

I hear Handel is composing a follow up to The Royal Fireworks, called The Galway Yacht. I'm told he'll be conducting a public performance given by the Orchestra from the Titanic!

Your just messing now, Handel hasn't released anything in years

mikom · 02-05-2012 6:00pm

VORVol2012 wrote: »

2000 volunteers needed

plan & organise some of the high profile events such as the ARRIVALS PARTY, Global Culture Night, 4th of July celebrations and many more.

Experience in event management is a must.

Unpaid volunteers?

Doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.

Mars Bar · 02-05-2012 6:58pm

2000 unpaid volunteers with event management experience? That's gonna be tough no?

Shakti · 02-05-2012 7:12pm

So entertainment aside (Steve Earl would have been a great choice IMO)
does anybody know who is actually winning or likely to win the race, or does it matter?

Private Joker · 02-05-2012 9:36pm

I volunteered last time, never again. they wanted you to do 8 hour shifts, which usually ended up being longer. they said food was provided, all u got was a sandwich if you were lucky , and they put some volunteers helping out at commercial ventures.

I hope they get their volunteers but i wont be one of them after my experience.

magentas · 02-05-2012 11:02pm

Yeah I saw that on the newsletter from Galway Volunteer Centre, volunteers for a minimum of 3days to include 8-9hr shifts. I thought it was a very long shift for volunteers, surely they'd be better off looking for people to do 4hr shifts as well. That way they'd get more interest, more flexibility and not have to offer free lunch as there'd be no breaks.

Shakti · 02-05-2012 11:10pm

Private Joker wrote: »

I volunteered last time, never again. they wanted you to do 8 hour shifts, which usually ended up being longer. they said food was provided, all u got was a sandwich if you were lucky , and they put some volunteers helping out at commercial ventures.

I hope they get their volunteers but i wont be one of them after my experience.

No vouchers/after party/special access/merchandise etc.?

magentas · 02-05-2012 11:10pm

Just read the email there again

" Successful volunteers will be asked to attend information sessions and will meet members of the team who will speak to them regarding their skillsets. Telephone interviews may be conducted for some roles. The matching process will take place in early June and for those who are matched to volunteering positions, a training session will take place in the week commencing 25th June and this will be compulsory in order to continue to the accreditation stage of the volunteering programme. "

"Must be available for 2-3 shifts between 30th June -8th July
A minimum of 8 hours availability per shift is required"

It also says that because of the long shifts, volunteers "must be capable of standing for long periods of time"

Sounds like fun...

biko · 02-05-2012 11:26pm

Volvo Ocean Race Galway wrote: »

We're busy working away on getting confirmation of acts on all nights from the 30th June - 8th July.

VORVol2012 wrote: »

Anyone interested in helping out?

No offence but you guys need to verify yourselves with the admins when you are posting on behalf of VOR. Please get in touch with them using an official mail adress to hello@boards.ie
Thx

Private Joker · 02-05-2012 11:30pm

Shakti wrote: »

No vouchers/after party/special access/merchandise etc.?

there were different security clearances for different volunteers, so unless u get a cushy number like , hospitality or media, u wont get into areas the general public cant visit. there were no vouchers, the only perk was the t-shirt and jacket you got which is hardly worth 24 hrs of ur time.

There was an after party , but from what i gathered it was a couple of free drinks and some finger food on a monday night in karma( although i didnt attend so i cant say for sure.) it seems that they havent learned their lesson from last time, as a lot of the people i was with were well pissed off about how they were treated.

I wouldn't mind doing a couple of 4 hour shifts, but no way would i consider it again if its still 8 hour shifts.

fishy fishy · 03-05-2012 8:55am

Shakti wrote: »

So entertainment aside (Steve Earl would have been a great choice IMO)
does anybody know who is actually winning or likely to win the race, or does it matter?

what race??

squonk · 03-05-2012 9:14am

This isn't starting to sound overly promising really.

fishy fishy · 03-05-2012 10:26am

nearly two weeks of free entertainment, craic, food stalls, sounds great to me. If we get fine weather it will be a bonus. Who doesn't like sitting out with a cold beer listening to music, and grabbing some freshly cooked shrimp or strawberries, with your friends.

but of course you will always have the ones who will give out about it, preferring Im sure to sit at home in a dark room and cry.

:D:D

03-05-2012 10:56am

This is shaping up to be a great summer in Galway, we really need the weather to come good. The ocean race at the start of July to get things going and then race week at the end of July to top it off.

Cant wait!!

antoobrien · 03-05-2012 11:01am

Mars Bar wrote: »

2000 unpaid volunteers with event management experience? That's gonna be tough no?

Galway Races have hundreds of largely untrained staff every year. The catering etc will be taken care of my companies that have won tenders, so I'd imaging that it won't be that big a problem. Besides, being able to say you worked for VOR for a week will be a good one for kids/students to have on their CVs when they eventually go looking for work

beeintheknow · 03-05-2012 12:12pm

antoobrien wrote: »

Galway Races have hundreds of largely untrained staff every year. The catering etc will be taken care of my companies that have won tenders, so I'd imaging that it won't be that big a problem. Besides, being able to say you worked for VOR for a week will be a good one for kids/students to have on their CVs when they eventually go looking for work

It's exploitative really but that's the way of the world. The only people this could possibly appeal to are those who need experience on their cv or the mad. The Olympics are recruiting 70-100,000 volunteers for London 2012 and I don't know what motivates a lot of them other than boredom.

If 2% of the 2,000 volunteers have any event management experience that would be a result.

If they need 2,000 volunteers, what are the paid staff doing?

On another note, it's very easy to be cynical about this type of event but in my view the weather last time round was the key factor in the success of the event.

beeintheknow · 03-05-2012 12:13pm

antoobrien wrote: »

Galway Races have hundreds of largely untrained staff every year. The catering etc will be taken care of my companies that have won tenders, so I'd imaging that it won't be that big a problem. Besides, being able to say you worked for VOR for a week will be a good one for kids/students to have on their CVs when they eventually go looking for work

Untrained but paid.

Storm 10 · 03-05-2012 12:22pm

On another note, it's very easy to be cynical about this type of event but in my view the weather last time round was the key factor in the success of the event.

And the "Red Arrows"

That was some day in Salthill, scorching sun and a brilliant display by the Reds

fishy fishy · 03-05-2012 12:25pm

we live in the west of ireland, - its gonna rain. We should be used to it by now - why would you let it enjoy your fun - think of it as "summer rain". Its part and parcel of living here - sunny weather is a bonus - don't bank on it, but if it comes, you can be extra happy.

:D otherwise, just bring an umbrella - that should sort it. :rolleyes:

mikom · 03-05-2012 12:29pm

beeintheknow wrote: »

If they need 2,000 volunteers, what are the paid staff doing?

Collecting a paycheck for one.

Something about yachts and unpaid volunteers that does not sit very well with me.

c_man · 03-05-2012 12:35pm

Unpaid volunteers... and everybody else involved trying to cream it for as much as possible. Who'd do it.

squonk · 03-05-2012 12:50pm

Certainly not for the 8+hour shifts anyway. That's a bit much!

galwayspur · 03-05-2012 2:34pm

The volunteers were one of the main reasons for the resounding success of the last VOR stopover here. The weather certainly helped, but to say that was the main reason is a tad naive. It seems a few people have an issue with "unpaid volunteers" - surely the word volunteer suggests that pay is not a factor. I took two weeks off from work to volunteer last time around and it was one of the most enjoyable fortnights I've had in Galway. It's extremely cynical to suggest that only the bored, mad or those that are so "in need of experience" that they'd be the only ones to apply. How about those that want to be involved and play an important role in a huge sporting event coming to Galway again?

The 8 hour shifts are quite long, but I worked longer shifts last time around and the time flew by - the work that the volunteers will be doing is for the most part quite varied and if you have a decent team leader you'll get moved around often enough so that you won't get bored or frustrated. There was a great team atmosphere amongst the volunteers that I worked with last time and met people from all over the world who had come to Galway to be a part of it. As for the breaks, in my own team we all got at least one break in addition to the "lunch" break, where sandwiches, fruit, hot drinks etc were all provided - hardly the unpleasant conditions that some have suggested in previous posts.

I'm not volunteering this time around due to other work & family commitments but fully intend to get into town and enjoy what I can of the few days that it's here for. It's a great thing for Galway, and it should prove to be a real success again.

03-05-2012 3:36pm

Fair play to you galwayspur but you must be in the minority. If I was taking a week off for the ocean race it would be spent enjoying it, on the beer around town, relaxing etc etc. I dont think you will find too many people willing to use up their holidays to work 8 hours shifts at an event which would be much more fun if you were just attending it rather than working at it.

yeehaw · 03-05-2012 3:38pm

Serena Ancient Grain wrote: »

Fair play to you galwayspur but you must be in the minority. If I was taking a week off for the ocean race it would be spent enjoying it, on the beer around town, relaxing etc etc. I dont think you will find too many people willing to use up their holidays to work 8 hours shifts at an event which would be much more fun if you were just attending it rather than working at it.

galwayspur would fall into the aforementioned 'mad' category

FWIW I'm on decent grade. Yeehaw don't volunteer for nothin'.

yeehaw · 03-05-2012 3:38pm

Skyped Pete again there. He's on board. Expect an announcement in the coming days.

squonk · 03-05-2012 4:23pm

Pete sure has an awful lot of time for being on Skype for a man organising a tour at the moment

Diabhal Beag · 03-05-2012 7:10pm

You can tell he's legit due to the fact he calls Peter Gabriel Pete. I apologize for doubting you yeehaw. Me and Phil are jealous of your relationship.

magentas · 03-05-2012 8:41pm

galwayspur wrote: »

The volunteers were one of the main reasons for the resounding success of the last VOR stopover here. The weather certainly helped, but to say that was the main reason is a tad naive. It seems a few people have an issue with "unpaid volunteers" - surely the word volunteer suggests that pay is not a factor. I took two weeks off from work to volunteer last time around and it was one of the most enjoyable fortnights I've had in Galway. It's extremely cynical to suggest that only the bored, mad or those that are so "in need of experience" that they'd be the only ones to apply. How about those that want to be involved and play an important role in a huge sporting event coming to Galway again?

The 8 hour shifts are quite long, but I worked longer shifts last time around and the time flew by - the work that the volunteers will be doing is for the most part quite varied and if you have a decent team leader you'll get moved around often enough so that you won't get bored or frustrated. There was a great team atmosphere amongst the volunteers that I worked with last time and met people from all over the world who had come to Galway to be a part of it. As for the breaks, in my own team we all got at least one break in addition to the "lunch" break, where sandwiches, fruit, hot drinks etc were all provided - hardly the unpleasant conditions that some have suggested in previous posts.

I'm not volunteering this time around due to other work & family commitments but fully intend to get into town and enjoy what I can of the few days that it's here for. It's a great thing for Galway, and it should prove to be a real success again.

Fair play for volunteering last year and glad you enjoyed it but it's not something I'd put myself forward for TBH
I do volunteer work myself but I would find a minimum 8 hr shift for at least 2-3days at such a huge event and with a massive crowd pretty gruelling!
At the end of the day, it's a sporting event where I'm sure big bucks are gonna be made by many, many people. I'd think differently (just on the volunteering side of things) if it was a charity event or fundraising for a worthwhile cause

Rob A. Bank · 03-05-2012 9:16pm

Shakti wrote: »

So entertainment aside... does anybody know who is actually winning or likely to win the race, or does it matter?

Team.............................................. Skipper............ Overall Points

Team Telefónica............................... Iker Martínez.......... 149

Groupama sailing team..................... Franck Cammas....... 133

CAMPER with Emirates Team NZ........ Chris Nicholson........ 124

PUMA Ocean Racing by BERG..............Ken Read................ 117

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.................... Ian Walker................ 58

Team Sanya..................................... Mike Sanderson.......... 25

The Irish interest… Justin Slattery is the bowman on Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Damian Foxall is the Helmsman / Trimmer on Groupama sailing team.

At Present:

Five boats are exiting the doldrums to the east of the Carribean Lesser Antilles islands heading north to Miami, with the top three boats split by just three miles at times over the last few days. They are two thirds of the way through leg 6 of 9 legs, with visits to Lisbon, Lorient and Galway to go after Miami.

PUMA and CAMPER have been duelling it out for the lead with Telefónica 'smoking along' in third and ready to pounce on any mistake from the top two.

Meanwhile over 100 N miles behind, Abu Dhabi and Groupama have been locked in their own battle for fourth and fifth, with Groupama ahead of Abu Dhabi.

Team Sanya, who retired from Leg 5 after losing a rudder, will rejoin the fleet in Miami for the in-port racing and start of Leg 7.

Further info: http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/home.html

the keen edge · 05-05-2012 3:57pm

From their facebook page:

Volvo Ocean Race Galway.

One of the biggest names in the entertainment industry has been confirmed to play the Volvo Ocean Race Galway Festival. All will be revealed at 6pm today.

Galway is going to ROCK !!!

Looks like a twist in the tail of this story yet!

Mars Bar · 05-05-2012 4:26pm

It would be HILARIOUS if it was Peter Gabriel.

Wompa1 · 05-05-2012 4:31pm

the keen edge wrote: »

From their facebook page:

Volvo Ocean Race Galway.

One of the biggest names in the entertainment industry has been confirmed to play the Volvo Ocean Race Galway Festival. All will be revealed at 6pm today.

Galway is going to ROCK !!!

Looks like a twist in the tail of this story yet!

My vote is for Rod Stewart!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo-T1YoG4l0

the keen edge · 05-05-2012 4:34pm

Well the good news is, whoever it is, they must be a proper headline act.

Mars Bar · 05-05-2012 4:36pm

Wompa1 wrote: »

My vote is for Rod Stewart!

That'd be class!

Wompa1 · 05-05-2012 4:44pm

Mars Bar wrote: »

That'd be class!

You didn't listen to the YouTube clip I guess. I guess headline act is a relative term. One of the biggest names in entertainment nowadays could be a lot of people. The obvious choice would be a big Irish band like U2 but I doubt Bono with bother his arse.

I wonder if the businesses of Galway will be contributing. After the last one the city council was 15 million overdrawn if I remember correctly. If they put up the Bill Madden flower pots again this year people should flip out

Mars Bar · 05-05-2012 4:57pm

Wompa1 wrote: »

You didn't listen to the YouTube clip I guess.t

Hah, no I didn't. Rod Steward would be class though.

I'd prefer if they kept it Irish.

The Cranberries maybe? Now that WOULD be deadly!

Diabhal Beag · 05-05-2012 5:55pm

Mars Bar wrote: »

It would be HILARIOUS if it was Peter Gabriel.

Why would it be hilarious? Yeehaw has been working long and hard to bring him to Galway and I for one trust his/her honesty.

BeardySi · 05-05-2012 5:59pm

Thin Lizzy.... Legends in their time, yes, but with the band sadly gutted of the greatest members I'd hardly call them one of the biggest names in entertainment atm...

Mars Bar · 05-05-2012 5:59pm

It's Thin Lizzy. Well, as Thin Lizzy as you can be without Phil Lynott.

Diabhal Beag · 05-05-2012 6:01pm

Thin Lizzy LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE at the Volvo Ocean Race!!!!!!!!! (Phil Lynott may not be included)

ben.schlomo · 05-05-2012 6:02pm

Saw them in Dublin last year, they were ok. Now if we could just convince Def Leppard and Alice Cooper to join them like that time we would have a real gig.