Volvo Ocean Race 2012

JohnCleary · 20-06-2012 9:39pm

magentas wrote: »

I can't believe they're putting the temp bridge so bloody close to Wolfe Tone bridge! They should have either put it further out connecting the two "villages" or else just used WT bridge altogether. Silly waste of time, resources and money IMO.

Really looking forward to VOR though, just hope weather is good to us!

They couldn't get the sponsorship to built the 'big' bridge in the original location, the rumoured cost being €350k

I am happy to see this bridge being erected as it will keep pedestrian traffic away from Wolfe Tone. Imagine thousands (more than usual) crossing that bridge on a daily basis, it would only be time before an accident happened.

GO ON THE VOR!

vulcan57 · 20-06-2012 9:54pm

JohnCleary wrote: »

They couldn't get the sponsorship to built the 'big' bridge in the original location, the rumoured cost being €350k

I am happy to see this bridge being erected as it will keep pedestrian traffic away from Wolfe Tone. Imagine thousands (more than usual) crossing that bridge on a daily basis, it would only be time before an accident happened.

GO ON THE VOR!

Yeah would imagine it would keep pedestrians off Wolftone bridge alright. Its a shame that the Global village is so remote from the heart of things in the docks (walking wise anyway). It was a great Idea when they thought that they would be able to put the longer bridge across to nimos pier as it would have been a short stroll.

I'm not knocking the organisers in anyway, they have done Galway proud and this a minor thing in the grand scheme of things.

JohnCleary · 20-06-2012 10:26pm

vulcan57 wrote: »

Its a shame that the Global village is so remote from the heart of things in the docks

I agree completely, I suspect there won't be as much of a 'buzz' round the docks this time round

thesandeman · 21-06-2012 6:45am

Funny feeling the locals will still hang around the Docks part while the visitors will be more inclined to visit the Swamp.
Just a conspiracy theory but I wonder if the plan was for Heinekin to sponsor the long bridge originally?

foxy_19-89 · 21-06-2012 12:51pm

thesandeman wrote: »

Funny feeling the locals will still hang around the Docks part while the visitors will be more inclined to visit the Swamp.
Just a conspiracy theory but I wonder if the plan was for Heinekin to sponsor the long bridge originally?

Why would that be an issue? Heineken are still alcohol beverage sponsors?

vulcan57 · 21-06-2012 2:39pm

JohnCleary wrote: »

I agree completely, I suspect there won't be as much of a 'buzz' round the docks this time round

Maybe there is an opening there for the water taxis when the tides are right ! short trip across to Nimos and saving a 10- 15 min walk, handy especially if its raining.

thesandeman · 21-06-2012 5:49pm

foxy_19-89 wrote: »

thesandeman wrote: »

Funny feeling the locals will still hang around the Docks part while the visitors will be more inclined to visit the Swamp.
Just a conspiracy theory but I wonder if the plan was for Heinekin to sponsor the long bridge originally?

Why would that be an issue? Heineken are still alcohol beverage sponsors?

Wouldn't be a problem for me but I'm sure some people would object about alcohol sponsorship etc.

I_smell_fear · 21-06-2012 6:05pm

Just over a week away now, any good word on the weather front? or is it still too soon to forecast? Could make or break the event!

ValerieR · 21-06-2012 7:05pm

I_smell_fear wrote: »

Just over a week away now, any good word on the weather front? or is it still too soon to forecast? Could make or break the event!

Don't look you'll be depressed ...
The only good thing is ... weather people often get it wrong .... that's what I hope anyhow !

snubbleste · 21-06-2012 7:08pm

I_smell_fear wrote: »

Just over a week away now, any good word on the weather front? or is it still too soon to forecast? Could make or break the event!

I predict rain on the 30th, 1st and 2nd. My tea leaves would'nt disclose the 3rd, 4th or 5th.

I_smell_fear · 21-06-2012 7:18pm

snubbleste wrote: »

I predict rain on the 30th, 1st and 2nd. My tea leaves would'nt disclose the 3rd, 4th or 5th.

I saw a rooster flying upside down while barking like a dog this evening.

Unfortunately it has no meteorological forecasting significance.

foxy_19-89 · 21-06-2012 8:55pm

Seeing as in 2009 I started a thread for everyone to post their VOR photos (which included some award winning ones!) I felt the need to do the same this time round....[Mods feel free to merge with my old thread if necessary]

I got out this evening with the camera to get a few snaps of the work being done....

Before you all ask, unfortunately I don't have the same amazing view as last time, but have a better camera and aim on getting as many pics as I can!

Here is a selection of mine so far (I will be creating a blog to house all my photos from the event and will link later)

I encourage everyone to post theirs for us all to see

biko · 21-06-2012 9:03pm

foxy_19-89 wrote: »

[Mods feel free to merge with my old thread if necessary]

Thanks, it's better to have everything in this one thread. Then in the future we can look back and reminisce without having to search all over the shop

dinneenp · 22-06-2012 9:38am

JohnCleary wrote: »

I agree completely, I suspect there won't be as much of a 'buzz' round the docks this time round

I'd imagine there could be potential problems with an extremelly long bridge from Docks to Claddagh; cost, secruity, length of it etc.

The one they're building should help; the amount of foot-fall around there will be massive so (as someone else said) it'll help keep Wolfe Tone bridge safe from overflowing with people.

Rob A. Bank · 22-06-2012 10:36am

The leaderboard at present with links to the team websites and pics of the boats.

1 - Groupama sailing team
Points : 219

French offshore legend Franck Cammas and his long-term sponsor Groupama compete in a boat designed by two-time race winner Juan Kouyoumdjian. Kerry sailor Damian Foxall is the helmsman/trimmer and crew manager.

2 - PUMA Ocean Racing
Points : 196

The USA entry PUMA Ocean Racing, which turned heads on and off the water in the 2008-09 race, has returned for this edition, again under the leadership of Skipper Ken Read.

3 - CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zeland Points : 191

Spanish footwear brand Camper is collaborating with Emirates Team New Zealand to manage their first Volvo Ocean Race campaign. Skipper Chris Nicholson
　
4 - Team Telefonica
Points : 191

The Spanish entry is led by dual Olympic medallist Iker Martínez on their third successive Volvo Ocean Race. Martínez’s crew have a long list of successes including 23 round the world races, 15 world titles and three Olympic gold medals.

5 - Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing
Points : 122

The UAE entry includes a core of Volvo veterans and a UAE national, led by double Olympic medallist and 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race skipper, Ian Walker. Justin Slattery from Cork is the bowman and Ian Walker was the skipper of Green Dragon last time around.

6 - Team Sanya
Points : 39

Chinese entry Team Sanya with Volvo Ocean Race veteran and two-time winner Mike Sanderson as skipper and a mixture of experienced sailors and raw Chinese members. Suffered breakages and missed some of the legs.

Rob A. Bank · 22-06-2012 10:41am

Not long to go now, once the Euro2012 final finishes, the boats will already be over 8 hours into their race to Galway. The start of the race in Lorient can be seen live on TG4 at 11:45 on Sunday July 1st in their Volvo Ocean Race Beo programme.

For those who are interested… YouTube links to hour long documentaries on all the Volvo Ocean Race legs so far. (I recommend watching them full screen if your internet connection can cope)

Leg 1 from Alicante in Spain to Cape Town in South Africa.

http://youtu.be/WqOsqvKARww

Leg 2 from Cape Town to Abu Dhabi.

http://youtu.be/-OaU5KWFFZ4

Leg 3 from Abu Dhabi to Sanya in China.

http://youtu.be/py9bU3ET1fc

Leg 4 from Sanya to Auckland, New Zealand.

http://youtu.be/4PukF6OJZ8o

Leg 5 from Auckland round Cape Horn to Itajaí, Brazil.

http://youtu.be/qE1ebE34lac

Leg 6 from Itajaí to Miami, USA.

http://youtu.be/G05JaXI2BA8

Leg 7 from Miami to Lisbon, Portugal.

http://youtu.be/ysli1iyRZGM

Leg 8 from Lisbon to Lorient France is not out yet, but can be seen in an hour long programme on TG4, in 2 day’s time, on Sunday, June 24 at 14:40 pm.

foxy_19-89 · 22-06-2012 12:01pm

My blog of the Volvo Ocean Race Village and Surrounding areas, which I hope to update as frequently as possible

http://cillianfox.blogspot.ie/

mcmacness · 22-06-2012 5:42pm

Anyone know if the Saw Doctor's concert on the Tuesday night is free?

Rob A. Bank · 22-06-2012 5:59pm

As far as I know, the acts in the 'Race Village Main Stage' (the Docks) are free and the acts playing in the 'Global Village' (South Park white tent) are the pay events.

The Saw Doctors are on the 'Race Village Main Stage' from 20:30 to 22:00 on Tuesday June 3rd and are free. (I believe)

piscesgirl1 · 22-06-2012 10:04pm

A replica of the Christ the Reedemer statue from rio was erected on top of galway business school today!!!!! I presume for the brazilian themed day in salthill!:D:D

piscesgirl1 · 22-06-2012 10:07pm

On another note does anybody know if the air show will be on? In the website it has a programme of events and says red arrows in salthill on the Sunday?

Diabhal Beag · 22-06-2012 11:36pm

Has Peter Gabriel been confirmed yet for the Yeehaw stage on the Wednesday?

Rob A. Bank · 23-06-2012 10:57am

piscesgirl1 wrote: »

A replica of the Christ the Reedemer statue from rio was erected on top of galway business school today!!!!! I presume for the brazilian themed day in salthill!:D:D

I saw that too... I wonder if it will be a permanent feature on top of the Galway Business School ?

P.S. It seems to be causing less right wing 'knickers in a twist' than the proposed monument to that other South American... Che !

Rob A. Bank · 23-06-2012 11:07am

How the VOR has helped Galway Hookers !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eOuOQrRsRo

P.S. NOT that kind of hooker !!!

jenno86 · 23-06-2012 12:19pm

I was driving by yesterday and I couldn't believe it! Christ the Redeemer, Whats that all about?!

irishgeo · 23-06-2012 2:46pm

so whats the best day to head up?

i have monday, tuesday and wednesday off.

I was thinking Wednesday but Tuesday might be better as the boats are due in that day.I wont be staying up i am afraid.
any suggestions

the weather seems to lining up fairly dry in the early part of the week.

Sunday night will be dry with lowest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees. Some mist and fog patches may form in light winds.

The dry weather will continue on Monday and it will be a mild day with maximum temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees. There will be some good sunny spells too. Then on Monday night some showers will develop along the south coast and these will move north during the day on Tuesday. There will be a good deal of dry weather though, with some sunny spells. Highs of 17 to 20 degrees in light variable winds. Wednesday will be a mild day with showers. Temperatures will climb to between 16 and 20 degrees. Then it looks like the weather will become more unsettled with wet and windy spells.

Rob A. Bank · 23-06-2012 3:27pm

Irishgeo... I think you are a bit premature and a week out !

That is the forecast for the 24th to the 27th of June. The VOR boats don't arrive until the 3rd of July, a week later.

irishgeo · 23-06-2012 4:09pm

Rob A. Bank wrote: »

Irishgeo... I think you are a bit premature and a week out !

That is the forecast for the 24th to the 27th of June. The VOR boats don't arrive until the 3rd of July, a week later.

Doh!

Looking forward to a few days off a bit too much.