Images of Ireland: Volvo fleet at 30kts plus off Irish Coast

5:28 PM Sun 7 Jun 2009 GMT

'Green Dragon surfing at 30 knots off the Blasket Islands West of Ireland, shortly after the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand.' Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race &copy

The Volvo fleet blasted their way off the coast of Ireland today, hitting over 30kts, in squalls. The Volvo media team present these amazing images of Volvo 70's at full pelt, after they were caught with the big gear on in a 38kt squall.

The fleet were passing the the Blasket Islands West of Ireland, shortly after the start ofLleg 8 from Galway to Marstrand.

Ericsson 4 surfing at 30 knots off the Blasket Islands West of Ireland, shortly after the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand. - Rick Tomlinson-Volvo Ocean Race &copy

Ericsson 4 surfing at 30 knots off the Blasket Islands West of Ireland, shortly after the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand. - Rick Tomlinson-Volvo Ocean Race &copy

PUMA Ocean Racing surfing at 30 knots off the Blasket Islands West of Ireland, shortly after the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand. - Rick Tomlinson-Volvo Ocean Race &copy

PUMA Ocean Racing surfing at 30 knots off the Blasket Islands West of Ireland, shortly after the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand. - Rick Tomlinson-Volvo Ocean Race &copy

Ericsson 4 surfing at 30 knots off the Blasket Islands West of Ireland, shortly after the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand. - Rick Tomlinson-Volvo Ocean Race &copy

Ericsson 4 surfing at 30 knots off the Blasket Islands West of Ireland, shortly after the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand. - Rick Tomlinson-Volvo Ocean Race &copy

PUMA Ocean Racing surfing at 30 knots off the Blasket Islands West of Ireland, shortly after the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand. - Rick Tomlinson-Volvo Ocean Race &copy

The fleet surfing at 30 knots off the Blasket Islands West of Ireland, shortly after the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand. - Rick Tomlinson-Volvo Ocean Race &copy

Green Dragon racing down the coast of Ireland on leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand - Dave Kneale-Volvo Ocean Race &copy

Green Dragon racing down the coast of Ireland on leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand - Dave Kneale-Volvo Ocean Race &copy

Ericsson 3 surfing at 30 knots off the Blasket Islands West of Ireland, shortly after the start of leg 8 from Galway to Marstrand. - Rick Tomlinson-Volvo Ocean Race &copy

Click on thumbnails below to enlarge and view more images.

by Volvo Media