Hell on High Seas raises over £1 Million

We’ve been on the edge of our seats following Musto ambassador Ian Walker skippering a Volvo Ocean Race 65 boat around the British Isles with a gaggle of celebrities in aid of BT Sport Relief. They certainly weren’t lucky with the conditions!

Speaking to Sport Relief before the challenge Ian Walker, the first British skipper to win the Volvo Ocean Race, said: “When the sea’s rough, you’re drenched to the core and you’ve barely slept, even the most mundane daily tasks can seem impossible,” he said. “I have already predicted that the BT Sport Relief Challenge: Hell on High Seas will be quite that, and quite possibly colder than any day I have spent in the Southern Ocean last race.”

The Volvo Ocean 65 set sail from Belfast Harbour Marina on Monday 7th March and sailed into London on Friday 11th March (you can see the route here). On day two of the sail there was a particularly harrowing moment where the boat nearly capsized. With the elements so against them from the outset, day three saw them put the Volvo Ocean 65 – a carbon-fibre speed machine – to the test as they raced at phenomenal speeds with 30+ knots of wind, steep waves and low tides, in order to beat the impending storms and get to shelter safely.

Watch videos of the challenging sail here.

Hats off to The One Show host Alex Jones, fellow presenters Angelica Bell, Ore Oduba and Suzi Perry, as well as comedians Hal Cruttenden and Doon Mackichan who all battled with gale-force winds of 29 knots, freezing temperatures, rough seas with waves of up to 10ft and the relentless sea-sickness that goes with these brutal and often terrifying conditions. Completely out of their comfort zones, we were glad to see the celebs were kitted out for the high seas in the high performance Musto gear including HPX Ocean Boots, HPX Pro Smock and Trousers.

The money raised from the BT Sport Relief Challenge: Hell on High Seas will help transform the lives of some of the most deserving and disadvantaged people both here in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries. The tally is currently at a staggering £1,062,868!

Has the Sport Relief Challenge inspired you to give yachting or yacht racing a go? Yacht sailing is an incredibly enjoyable and relaxing way to see and explore new places. With teamwork at the heart of the sport it’s a great hobby for families to take up together too! Or if you like your sports to provide as big of an adrenalin rush as possible you might like to try yacht racing. Why not contact your nearest sailing club and book on a taster day, or book yourself on a course to learn the basics – the Royal Yacht Association website allows you to search for centers and courses near you. See how you like it – our bet is you’ll love it!