Abu Dhabi: It may have been nearly a week that Abu Dhabi Volvo Ocean Racing (ADOR) team has won the Volvo Ocean Race, but skipper Ian Walker is yet to come to terms with it.
“I think it will take a while to sink in. We have been so busy since the end of the race with media requests and official engagements and I have hardly had time to celebrate,” Walker told Gulf News on his way to the capital, where a red carpet welcome and grand celebration awaits him and his crew.
“We are now looking forward to celebrating in Abu Dhabi and sharing our success with all the people who have supported us for so long. For now I have just enjoyed sharing the moment with my family,” added the Briton, who became the first sailor from his country to win the prestigious event.
Walker had been chasing his dream for over eight years and he acknowledged that he even thought of hanging his boots after a frustrating last season. This time round, however, he and his crew of Azzam were clearly on a mission right from the onset. They kept pushing on relentlessly and finished on the podium in the first six legs, winning two of them.
“In my first race, it was all about learning and I had no expectation of success. Last season as the Skipper of ADOR was tough because we had many of the ingredients right for success but the boat design was wrong and we suffered. I was very close to giving up in Auckland,” recalled Walker, adding: “I remember telling my business partner just how tough this race can be. He always makes me believe in myself and we managed to get some success in-port and in the Trans-Atlantic leg. Fortunately, we have led this edition of the race from start to finish and although it hasn’t been perfect we have always done enough to stay in front.”
What swung the tide heavily in ADOR’s favour, according to Walker, was the crucial success in the short leg from Lisbon to L’Orient. “Lisbon to L’Orient was tough because so much depended on it. We also had very strong winds and big waves off the NW coast of Spain. The result was always in the balance but we managed to get the result we needed to win the race overall. It was an incredible feeling,” revealed the two-time Olympic silver medallist, who also hailed the support and faith shown by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Cultural Authority and Abu Dhabi Sports Council on him and his crew.
“I would like to not only acknowledge their support but thank them for standing by me after the disappointment of our first challenge. Of course, many people have helped me since I learnt to sail as a young boy but I have to thank my family above all others.
“The prize giving was very special as I could share it with my parents, my wife Lisa and my two daughters. Every member of our team both ashore and afloat were key to our success and especially our coach Neal McDonald who has been my right hand man throughout,” said Walker, was also all praise for the homebred sailor Adil Khalid - the flag bearer for UAE.
“Adil has grown up immeasurably since I first met him four years ago. He can now sail as a professional crew and contribute to a team’s success at the highest level. The hard bit now is for him to take more responsibility and try to lead teams of his own. It takes a lot of hard work and years of experience to put all the ingredients together. I think Adil can be an excellent role model for young Emirati champions of the future,” felt the 45-year-old, who says he needs some time to decide on his future course of action in the sport.
“I’m going to take two months off to get over this race and think about the future. I have spent too much time away from home and need to be there for my family. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing is close to my heart and I would like to be involved in their future if they want me. I’m not sure whether I have the energy to skipper a team in the Volvo Ocean Race again. It is too early to tell,” he added.
