Sailing Magazine
pic by IAN ROMAN/Volvo Ocean Race
Changes in the nature of the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015 have as expected moved the race from a technical boat design competition to an emphasis on sailing ability.
British Volvo Ocean Race veteran 44 year Ian Walker is very happy with the change.
After winning silver medals at two Olympics, 1996 silver in the 470 Class, 2000 silver in the Star, then coaching Shirley Robertson to the 2004 Olympic Gold, Walker turned his attention offshore racing.
In 2008-09, he skippered Green Dragon to a fifth place and then led Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s debut in the race in 2011-12, finishing third.
Following that mathematical progression, this time the veteran racer is aiming for the top step on the podium.
With less than 90 days to the start of the race in Alicante Spain, Sail-World.com’s Rob Kothe interviewed Walker (as he came off watch mid Atlantic, on their training run back to the UK.)
