About Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing

Not content with touting its credentials as a leading global destination, the emirate will also stake its claim in this toughest and most extreme of challenges with its latest sports partnership, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.

Taking the emirate’s name to the high-seas, the 11-strong crew, sailing the specially-designed Volvo Open 70 racing yacht, will fly the flag around the globe in this ‘Everest of Sailing’.

Leading the team’s title pursuit will be two-time Olympic medallist, Ian Walker of Great Britain, who will skipper Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.

Walker, a father of two, was the skipper and sailing manager of the 2002 British America's Cup Team. He has accrued a wealth of sailing experience in a two-decade long career, which includes coaching the 2004 British Olympic Gold medal winning women's keelboat sailing team, winning the TP52 Global Championship, and leading the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race outfit, Green Dragon – one of only three teams to finish every leg of the event unassisted.

ADTA is committed to assembling one of the most competitive, internationally-represented race teams for the upcoming campaign.