The skipper of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, a contender in the Volvo Ocean Race, was appointed to the role following his team's victory in the opening leg of the race, which saw seven boats travel the 6,487 nautical miles from Alicante, Spain to Cape Town, South Africa.

A week after the victory, Walker welcomed a group of young people from Laureus-supported community projects in Cape Town on board the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing yacht, Azzam, to meet the crew and tour the boatyard.

The youngsters then watched from the waterfront as Azzam took part in the Cape Town In-Port race.

"It's a great honour to be asked to be a Laureus Ambassador and I was delighted that we were able to get the youngsters along from Laureus projects in Cape Town to meet the crew," said Walker.

"Yachting depends on teamwork and harmony among the crew and I was able to explain that to the kids.

"That's why sport is a great way of teaching young people life skills.

"I am really looking forward to taking part in more activities for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation."

A week after victory at the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, Walker welcomed a group of young people from Laureus-supported community projects in Cape Town on board the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing yacht Azzam ©Getty Images



Walker secured silver in the 470 class at both the 1996 Olympic Games and European Sailing Championships with partner John Merricks.

On October 15, 1997, Walker and Merricks were passengers in a minivan in Italy when the driver lost control, resulting in the death of Merricks.

After the incident the John Merricks Sailing Trust was established which provides funding and support to young sailors and youth sailing organisations to help them achieve their goals.

Walker was back at the Olympics in 2000 where he won silver in the star division alongside Mark Covell.

Walker has also been involved in two America's Cup campaigns.

When Britain launched its first bid for the America's Cup for 14 years, Walker was named as skipper, but lost to US yacht Stars and Stripes in the quarter-finals of the 2003 qualifying competition.

For the 2007 America's Cup, he joined fellow Olympic medallist Iain Percy as the tactician of the Italian team +39

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