Ian Walker visits Frensham Pond Sailing Club

Abigail Croft and Matthew Shorrock, Frensham Cadets in the GB world team with Ian Walker © Jim Morley

The club house at Frensham Sailing Club was filled for the visit of Olympic and round-the-world sailor Ian Walker. The evening was in aid of the Great Britain Cadet team who will be taking part in their World Championships in Argentina. Ian Walker arguably the most famous sailor to visit Frensham for many years was introduced by two of the UK Cadet team: Abigail Croft and Matthew Shorrock both from Frensham.

Ian Walker a double Olympic silver medallist also coached the Great Britain women’s gold medal team in Athens. But his talk was on his part in this years Volvo Round-the World race. Walker, skipper of the Irish entry Green Dragon showed dramatic video footage of racing to the limit in huge seas and gale force winds. He spoke of facing extreme danger and damage, as well as avoiding pirates. He told of the joy of the reception in every port of call.

Frensham members were delighted to learn that the dramatic film footage had been edited by one of their own; television sports producer Sarah Marriott, who covered the race for ITV. Ian Walker admitted that before this year’s Volvo race his longest passage in a race had been six hundred miles, while a single leg of the Volvo was twelve thousand miles. He is already planning his next Volvo campaign.