Foxall savours Volvo race 'dream'

A Kerryman on board a French yacht which won the Volvo Ocean Race has said the triumph was the fulfilment of a childhood dream.

More than 20,000 people turned out as Damian Foxall and the crew of Groupama sailed into Galway in the early hours of the morning.

Mr Foxall said that after 15 years of work and nine months spent travelling 40,000 miles with the team, the achievement was “a childhood dream, an adult’s dream”.

Bonfires had been lit on the Aran islands and strobe lights flickered over the harbour as a flotilla of yachts, ribs, currachs and other craft met the competitors.

Only minutes separated the first four vessels in the six-boat fleet, led by New Zealand/Spanish entry Camper.

Groupama arrived second, but retained their overall lead to settle the closest contest in the competition’s 39-year history.

Mr Foxall, who was taking part in his fourth Volvo race, said: “I still haven’t quite realised what’s happening.

“We got a little inkling of this last time we came here.

“Galway is absolutely perfect for the Volvo Ocean Race and the Volvo Ocean Race is perfect for Galway.

“In the west of Ireland we know how to do things properly. I’m looking forward to spending another week here.”

The six boats had set sail from Lorient in France on Sunday and passed Fastnet Rock on their way to Galway.