HAMPSHIRE skipper Ian Walker will be looking to get his Volvo Ocean Race campaign off to the same start he enjoyed in 2011 when racing kicks off on Saturday.

Three years ago Walker’s Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing crew drew first blood when they blasted to victory in the inaugural in-port race in Alicante, Spain.

Walker, right, is now preparing to lead his crew into battle once more in the latest edition of the round the world race.

Although there are no points up for grabs, the in-port race – a sprint around a fixed inshore course in view of thousands of spectators – is the first attempt to get one over on opposition in the 2014-15 edition.

And double Olympic silver medallist Walker is hoping to enjoy the same success as before to set his team up for the start of the race proper the following weekend.

“We always look forward to lining up against the other teams,” the Warsash skipper said.

“With the leg start just a week away it’s important that we protect the boat and the sails, but we will be gunning for a good result to kick off the campaign in style and give the fans back in Abu Dhabi something to cheer about.

“All the teams are very competitive and will also be out to win, so I’m sure the race will be an exciting spectacle.”

British triathlon champions Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee will be joining Abu Dhabi for the in-port race, which starts at 1pm UK time on Saturday.

“Alistair and Jonathan are wonderful athletes and I really enjoyed watching them swim, cycle and run through Abu Dhabi,” said Abu Dhabi crew member Adil Khalid.

“I’m looking forward to showing them around Azzam, and I’m eager to find out what they think of the experience of racing on board with us.”

Among the seven teams on the start line will be Hampshire skipper Sam Davies’ all-woman crew Team SCA.

Leg one from Alicante to Cape Town, South Africa, begins on October 11.