Stamp of Approval for Volvo Ocean Race

8 May 2009

A globe-spanning ocean race is celebrated in miniature today with the release, by An Post, of two stamps celebrating the 2009 Volvo Ocean Race.

The race, known as the ‘Everest of Sailing’, reaches Galway later this month with huge interest in the event and in  ‘Green Dragon’, the Irish race entry. The 55c and £3 stamps feature detailed ‘action-shot’ paintings of the Green Dragon on the high seas by renowned Irish artist Vincent Killowry.

The stamp issue also marks the coming of the Volvo Ocean race to Ireland for the first time, with Galway the location for a race stopover  from May 23rd to June 6th. The Volvo race is a massive event covering 9 months, 11 ports, 37,000 nautical miles and 1.6 billion viewers across the globe.

In Galway the Volvo yachts will take part in an in-port race before setting out for Sweden and then for St Petersburg for the race finish at the end of June. The An Post stamp issue represents a unique opportunity to own a piece of memorabilia from this unique sporting event.

Sailing and stamp enthusiasts will also be able to see the work of stamp designer Vincent Killowry at first hand at an exhibition of his new maritime collection at the Bold Art Gallery, Galway from Friday, May 22nd until June 7th.

You can buy the stamp online from www.irishstamps.ie