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Franck Cammas became the first skipper to hold aloft the new Volvo Ocean Race Trophy as thousands of fans joined his Groupama sailing team for a raucous Race Village reception.
There was a party atmosphere all day in Galway as people lined the docks and packed the viewing areas to see the final action of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 -- the Discover Ireland In-Port Race.
After completing the race, Groupama -- who had already clinched overall victory after coming into Galway to an equally warm reception on Tuesday -- took to the main stage to blasts of the team's theme tune Highway to Hell.
The entire team, including shore crew, came up on stage to spray champagne and celebrate an extraordinary triumph for a team who were making their debut in the race and started as outsiders.
This is the 11th edition of the Race and an inscription on the 11th wave-shaped ring on the trophy is the only prize for victory.
It is a simple honour but one that means so much, with Cammas now indelibly linked with sailing legends like Peter Blake, Paul Cayard, Mike Sanderson and Torben Grael.
The Discover Ireland In-Port Race honours went to PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG, whose triumph on Saturday was enough to give them victory in the In-Port Race Series.
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