SOUTHAMPTON sailor Simon Fisher will be thinking of his family as he celebrates his 37th birthday today thousands of miles from home.

Fisher is the navigator for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, who are currently competing in the third leg of the Volvo Ocean Round the World race.

Abu Dhabi, skippered by Southampton’s former Olympic star Ian Walker, are fourth out of six boats en route to the Chinese port of Sanya.

Dongfeng lead, with Fisher, Walker and co 112 nautical miles adrift of them.

On his birthday plans, Fisher said: “I’m certainly not planning anything – we will probably be sailing down the Malacca strait so I expect I will be a bit busy for birthdays!’ The VOR demands that sailors spend months at a time away from their friends, families and home comforts.

For Fisher, the lack of proper food, a good bed and a shower isn’t something that really bothers him and all adds to the experience of the race.

“The only thing I really miss when I am out at sea is my family, my wife Maria and my son Alexander,” he explained. “Alexander is just over a year old and is growing up really fast and it is hard not being able to spend time with him every day. “So far this race I have missed both his first birthday and his first steps – not being around for those sorts of milestones is definitely the hardest for me.”

Despite this, Fisher is a huge fan of the VOR.

“It’s not just a race but also a great adventure,” he said.

“I am much richer for the experiences I have had in the past 10 years competing in this race. I have made many great friends along the way.” Fisher, who is competing in his fouth VOR, added: “After 10 years of trying I just really want to win this race.”

The fleet are expected to arrive in Sanya towards the end of this month.

“Without doubt this is a complicated leg and as a navigator there is a lot to consider with the potential for so much coastal sailing,” he explained.

“When you dream of doing the Volvo Race, dodging unlit fishing boats, trying not to get tangled up in nets, and weaving your way through one of the biggest commercial shipping lanes on the planet is not something that enters the picture.

“The Malacca strait and the coast of Vietnam are sure to be quite intense and if we can get a good result on the leg it will be very satisfying.”