Walker's World Race Diary - 12 March

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing

Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

In the last two days the sea temperature has dropped below nine degrees and we have seen five icebergs pass close by. The first two were quite large and passed about half a mile either side of the boat, the last 'growler' was no bigger than a small car and we missed it by five boat lengths.

This has reinforced to me how small we are and how far from any help we are should anything go wrong. Right now, approximately halfway across the Pacific Ocean, we are almost at the furthest point from any land.

Life on deck is conducted in survival suits, hats and gloves, while below deck the freezing cold hull acts like a refrigerator for all inside.

Over the last week there has been a big divide between boats in the north and others in the south as boats ahead were able to cross in front of a light wind ridge of high pressure and those behind were forced to skirt it to the south.

This is what has pushed us down into the ice when the compulsory ice gates are there to keep us north. It has been a period of the 'rich getting richer' and the gaps between boats have increased throughout the fleet. From now that should stop and possibly reverse as the leaders sail into headwinds.

Listen to Stuart Alexander speak to Ian Walker via satellite link-up