Galway prepares to welcome yachtsmen

The Irish town of Galway has begun to prepare itself for an onslaught of visitors this weekend.

Up to 200,000 people are expected to visit the town as yachts arrive at the end of the seventh leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, the Irish Independent reports.

Galway is the only town in the UK or Ireland to see the race this year with 100 free events and parties taking place upon the yachts arrival.

The Irish entry, Green Dragon, is currently in fourth place in the race the newspaper reports.

Ian Walker, the skipper of the boat, claimed that the crew were looking forward to sailing "into the waters of Galway Bay".

"It will be a significant moment for the whole team as it will mark the circumnavigation of the globe. For many of us it will make the culmination of three years of work to secure a port and a boat," he added.