Career
Walker also coached Shirley Robertson and her Yngling Team to gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics. On 15 October 1997, both Walker and Merricks were passengers in a minivan in Italy when the driver lost control, and Merricks was killed. In 1999, Walker began sailing with Mark Covell.
When Britain launched its first bid for the America’s Cup for 14 years in 2000, Walker was named as the skipper.
Then, in the 2007 America’s Cup he joined fellow Olympic medallist Iain Percy as the tactician of the Italian team +39 Challenge. His America’s Cup commitments were combined with the highly successful TP52 campaign as skipper of "Patches", owned by Eamon Conneely.
2008/09 Race
In 2008/09 he was the skipper of the Green Dragon boat in the, the boat finished fifth in this race out of eight competitors. 2011/12 Race
In 2011/12 Walker skippered Abu Dhabi"s first entry in the - Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.
Overall the team finished fifth out of the six competitors.
2014/15 Race
Ian was appointed as Skipper of Abu Dhabi"s next entry into the 2014/2015, sailing the new VO65 class. He successfully lead the team to victory, securing an insurmountable point lead over the other teams on the second to last legal Fastest circumnavigation - Isle of Wight – 2 hours 21 minutes (Foncia) August 2012.
Ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council
Fastnet Monohull Race record - 42hrs 39min, (Volvo Open 70 Abu Dhabi) in August 2011
VO65 24 hour distance record - 550.82 nautical miles (Volvo Ocean 65 Azzam) in April 2015.