Walker's World Race Diary - 12 March
Green Dragon skipper Ian Walker analyses the latest developments in the Volvo round the world race in his exclusive diary
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.In the last two days the sea temperature has dropped below nine degrees and we have seen five icebergs pass close by. The first two were quite large and passed about half a mile either side of the boat, the last 'growler' was no bigger than a small car and we missed it by five boat lengths.
This has reinforced to me how small we are and how far from any help we are should anything go wrong. Right now, approximately halfway across the Pacific Ocean, we are almost at the furthest point from any land.
Life on deck is conducted in survival suits, hats and gloves, while below deck the freezing cold hull acts like a refrigerator for all inside.
Over the last week there has been a big divide between boats in the north and others in the south as boats ahead were able to cross in front of a light wind ridge of high pressure and those behind were forced to skirt it to the south.
This is what has pushed us down into the ice when the compulsory ice gates are there to keep us north. It has been a period of the 'rich getting richer' and the gaps between boats have increased throughout the fleet. From now that should stop and possibly reverse as the leaders sail into headwinds.
Listen to Stuart Alexander speak to Ian Walker via satellite link-up
Ian Walker has won two silver medals at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympic Games and was skipper of the Team GBR challenge for the America’s Cup in Auckland in 2003. Now he is skipper of the Galway-based, Chinese-partnered Green Dragon team in the Volvo Ocean Race and is writing an exclusive commentary for The Independent plus talking to Stuart Alexander by satellite link from the boat during the 10 legs and 37,000 miles that take the fleet from Spain around the world to St. Petersburg.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments