HAMPSHIRE skipper Ian Walker’s determined crew are clinging to a narrow lead in the opening stage of the Volvo Ocean Race as the fleet picks its way through the dreaded Doldrums.

Walker’s Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing hold a narrow one-mile lead over the remaining six boats in the fleet as they approached the Equator.

It has been 12 days since the start of the leg from Alicante, Spain, to Cape Town, South Africa, and Walker’s crew has managed to lead the fleet for most of the time.

But with just 120 miles separating the fleet and around 3,000 miles left to sail the leg is still anyone’s for the taking.

The fleet must first navigate the tricky Intertropical Convergence Zone – better known as the Doldrums – where light, fluky winds are punctuated by vicious storms.

Once clear of the Doldrums they can break into the more stable breezes that will push them south to Cape Town.

The leg is expected to finish around the start of November.