In this short video I discuss what you should be thinking about packing for a cold ocean leg. In this context, I consider Cold Ocean Legs to be Legs 2, 3 , 4, 6 and Leg 8.

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Sailing in the Southern Ocean in Summer is a tough old gig, even for the pros on The Volvo Ocean Race. It seems no coincidence that so many use the Le Chameau Neptune boot for the really tough, cold race legs.

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Sail safe.

Leg 2 is, as the name suggests, still quite early in the race. The round-the-world crew and those that are continuing from leg 1 have some experience and they will know their way around the boat and be much better at sailing her and undertaking 'evolutions' such as reefing and sail changes. Also, leg 1 is over and the race is very much on!
 
In previous years the race has started in Rio de Janeiro and finished in Cape Town.
 
Pros;

• You cross an ocean again, this time the South Atlantic and sail from South America to Africa. That's pretty cool.
• As the second leg, you have a crew that has more experience. The competition is getting fiercer.
• You have all received the same training and those that have completed race 1 are there to help you learn the ropes again.
• The race starts in warm climes but the fleet usually dive South to get the benefit of the Westerlies rolling around the bottom of the planet. It is likely that you will dip below 40 degrees South and into the Roaring Forties and the Southern Ocean!
• The weather is varied but gets colder as you go South. You may encounter some head winds and the weather generally can get pretty lumpy sometimes as you find out the bigger winds. Warmer clothing and decent boots are required!
• ​​If you sail from Rio to Cape Town you have some pretty iconic approaches to sail and both cities are pretty iconic in their own right. You also get to sail to one of the Great Capes.
• I liked Leg 2. It offered varied and challenging racing, it wasn't too long a crossing and you get close to the Southern Ocean and one of the Great Capes. 
• It is one of the shorter legs in terms of time, meaning less time off work.

 
Cons;

• A large part of the whole race is downwind, but Leg 2 might have some upwind or beam reach sailing too as you drop South and East trying to find the quickest way to Africa. This makes for some challenging sailing, especially as the temperatures drop and the winds increase. This is generally considered a 'pro' but if this doesn't appeal. this leg might not be the best for you.
• You generally only get to do one race, unlike leg 8 for example, which might be split into several shorter races. If the race goes wrong for your boat for some reason, that's your whole race done.
• If you are combining a leg with travel, then landing in South Africa is pretty good. I know several people that have done 2 or 3 legs and travel continents in between. That's a great way to spend a year!
• My experience of the race was that in the first couple of races, racing is generally not as close as the last few. The fleet tends to close up as everyone (in particular the round the world crew) become more experienced and they gel into a team. So leg 2 might not be quite as close on the water as leg 8 for example. The racing is still close though.
• It is one of the shorter legs in terms of time, meaning less time off work (see pros above also!)