Walker to head Abu Dhabi’s Volvo bid

Britain’s Olympic medalist Ian Walker is to skipper the Abu Dhabi team in the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race, one the world’s most gruelling offshore yachting events, the organisers said.

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing will be the first team from the Gulf emirate to take part in the race, which starts in the Spanish port of Alicante and concludes in Galway, Ireland. The race also includes a stop in Abu Dhabi for the first time.

Walker, 40, was named by the team’s backer, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, to head an 11-strong crew for the event.

The 40-year-old has two Olympic silver medals and skippered Britain’s 2002 America’s Cup team. He was also captain of the Irish-Chinese entry in the 2008-2009 Volvo race, Green Dragon.

Known as the “Everest of Sailing,” the Volvo Ocean Race began in 1973 as the Whitbread race.

The 11th edition begins on November 5, 2011.