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Displaying items by tag: appreciation

#VOLVO OCEAN RACE - An appreciation night was held in Galway last week for John Killeen, who has played a significant role in bringing the Volvo Ocean Race to the city.

As the Galway Independent reports, prominent business leaders and tourism officials were on hand at the Galway Bay Hotel on 17 January to honour the president of Let's Do It Galway - who was also one of three founding members of Ireland's entry in the 2008-2009 race, and was instrumental in bringing that race to the City of the Tribes.

Dan Murphy, president of tourism body Skål International Galway, said it was "only correct and proper" for the travel and tourism industries to recognise Killeen’s contributions to Galway and especially the work he has done bringing the Volvo Ocean Race back to Ireland.

Published in Ocean Race

About the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is undoubtedly one of the greatest ocean adventures on the planet, also regarded as one of its toughest endurance challenges. Taking almost a year to complete, it consists of eleven teams competing against each other on the world’s largest matched fleet of 70-foot ocean racing yachts.

The Clipper Race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968-69. His aim was to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to embrace the thrill of ocean racing; it is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors. Around 40 per cent of crew are novices and have never sailed before starting a comprehensive training programme ahead of their adventure.

This unique challenge brings together everyone from chief executives to train drivers, nurses and firefighters, farmers, airline pilots and students, from age 18 upwards, to take on Mother Nature’s toughest and most remote conditions. There is no upper age limit, the oldest competitor to date is 76.

Now in its twelfth edition, the Clipper 2019-20 Race started from London, UK, on 02 September 2019.