Upon leaving South America you will be straight into the Westerlies and the long, rolling swells of the South Atlantic, with spinnakers quickly becoming the sail of choice.
Surfing down the front of swells brings boat speeds well above 20 knots - 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 up to 30 hours of laborious stitching. This leg can throw everything at you - from raging South Atlantic storms to long surfing runs which, together, combine to pose a unique mental and physical challenge.
After the plunge south, your bow 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 almost be over and the wind can die off, leaving a nail-biting finish to this race. A traditional African welcome awaits, as you finally step ashore. From sampling the best wines, and enjoying as much Braai as you can eat, to taking a wildlife safari or hiking in the Drakensburg mountains, there is plenty to keep you busy in between preparing your boat for the next leg.