Mayor of Galway Goes Overboard for Volvo Ocean Race

19th May 2012

#VOLVO OCEAN RACE – As the boats of the Volvo Ocean Race prepare to leave Miami for Lisbon, Tourism Ireland and Let's Do It Global hosted a reception in the Volvo Ocean Race Village in Miami last evening to drive awareness for Galway as the Race Finale destination as well as Ireland as a holiday destination.

The Volvo Organisers have issued details of how you can get afloat in Galway for the race with a range of different on the water activities to include sailing and kayaking as well as stand up paddleboarding.

In promoting the Volvo Ocean Race and strengthening ties between the two cities, Galway City Mayor Hildegarde Naughton who travelled to Miami as part of a local delegation, was presented with the Keys to the City of Miami as a symbolic gesture of freedom and friendship.

At the event, Enda O'Coineen, Chairman of Let's Do It Global introduced the Gathering 2013 concept to the distinguished guest list and explained how Irish Pubs Global will be utilising their global network by linking owners and managers of Irish pubs to build and maintain links with Ireland while also helping to increase profitability and success.

Also in attendance were the Consul General Paul Gleeson,Team Sanya crew and a number of prominent Irish men and women in areas of tourism and the media.

Following yesterday evening's festivities, Mayor Hildegarde Naughton will be hopping aboard the race boat on Sunday 20 May, to celebrate the beginning of the 7th leg of the race, to Lisbon, where Galway, the final destination of the race will be a closer reality. After an hour on board, this daring Mayor will jump overboard a racing yacht into the water where she will be collected by a waiting rib.

Only a distinguised group of people have had the privilege of making the jump. In February Gold medal Olympic swimmer Xue Juan Luo braved the waters and jumped off the boat after an hour of racing. In November, Fine Gael politician Simon Coveney also took the plunge after visiting the team. There will be live coverage of the 'Jump Off' on TG4 this Sunday so for those following the race, be sure to watch out for it.

Published in Ocean Race

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