Green Dragon Racing
Competing off the back of Galway’s successful bid to host an Irish stopover for the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 the Green Dragon Racing Team have entered the race.
Green Dragon Racing Team is part of the Let’s Do It Global not for profit organisation which was set up following Galway’s successful bid to host the Volvo Ocean Race from 23 May to 06 June 2009. It’s purpose is to co-ordinate the Volvo Ocean Race host port, an entry in the race and to build a long-term legacy from the project.
The Chinese built and sponsored boat has provided the Irish team an oriental link providing its name, Green Dragon.
Let’s Do It Global will deliver a legacy to the project through two key areas:
1. A schools programme which will introduce young people to maritime activities, careers at sea, marine commerce and trade, the Naval Service, the Merchant Marine and the sport of sailing. Through a structured learning programme, they will experience the areas of learning associated with sailing including teamwork, planning, adventure, climate, technology, geography, history and the marine environment. http://www.letsdoitschools.com
2. An outreach programme which will link the Irish diaspora in all stopover ports around the world with the Galway Volvo Ocean Race stopover and will deliver an Irish following for the Green Dragon entry. This outreach programme will also assist in promoting Ireland globally.
In the water the Green Dragon VO70 yacht is an impressive sight with a large curling Chinese dragon that crosses the sails perfectly when they are up and a dragons head on the bow of the boats hull reminiscent of an ancient warship.
Grapefruit Graphics were responsible for the application of the graphics to the teams complete sail wardrobe, using both applied vinyl and paint depending on the sail type and material it’s made from.
Each sail was carefully measured so that the dragon lined up with the mainsail dragon.
VO70 GREEN DRAGON Sail Inventory:
Mainsail area: 175 m² (max)
Spinnaker area: 300 m² to 500 m²
Storm Jib: 30 m² to 35 m²
Heavy Weather Jib: 94 m² (max)
Masthead Spinnaker: 300 m² to 500 m²
Fractional Spinnaker: 350 m² (max)
Storm Trysail: 36 m² to 41 m²
Whilst the hull of the boat is painted, we were responsible for manufacturing the stencils for the artwork so that the design could be accurately realised on the hull. Once painted, we supplied and fitted the sponsorship logos in Alicante, which were a closely guarded secret until the start of the race.
Grapefruit Graphics are proud to be associated with the Green Dragon Racing Team and wish them every success with the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009.
