Upon leaving South America the teams will be straight into the trade winds and long, rolling swells of the South Atlantic as you head south towards the infamous Southern Ocean, with spinnakers quickly becoming the sail of choice.
Surfing down the front of swells brings boat speeds well above 20 knots and whoever is on the helm will be guaranteed to be wearing the biggest smile. But this is a marathon not a sprint and looking after kit is essential. One false turn and the spinnaker will be in tatters, requiring the on board repair team to begin 30 hours of laborious stitching.
After the plunge south, your bows will turn eastward toward the distant shores of Africa, bringing even more exhilarating surfing conditions and some magnificent wildlife. Albatrosses swoop above your head, whales are a common sight and crews will marvel at the clarity of the night sky as they take in the Southern Cross for the first time.
As you close in on the point where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean the race will be almost over and the traditional African welcome, as you finally step ashore, will be a fitting culmination of your efforts.
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