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.

Fierce Turtle (Packing for Training)   : http://bit.ly/PackingListfortraining

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Le Chameau Boots:  http://bit.ly/sailingboots
Ocean Sleeping Bag Hire: http://bit.ly/oceansleepingbag

Many crew us crocs for below deck, but on deck I think you have to go a long way to beat the Keen sandal / shoe. It is ventilated and has a closed toe, protecting you from all the hazards on deck.

If you are interested in any of the items in my essential deck kit dry bag, ​click here

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.

Click here for our review of the Le Chameau Neptune. Clipper Crew can claim 15% OFF the Le Chameau Neptune if purchased in February 2018.

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Sail safe.

If you look at the geography and the prevailing trade winds, it's pretty obvious that to sail around the World today (if you start in Northern Europe) then you have to sail South across the Atlantic and then either go East or West.  Going East is far more sensible.

With this reality in place, it becomes likely that Brazil and South Africa are going to be two of the first ports of call. Going East, Western Australia makes sense and then you have to get to China for the Qingdao stopover (which is not to be missed for spectacle).  Whilst in Oz though, it seems appealing to compete in the Sydney Hobart Race so continuing East, either around New Zealand or Tasmania, Sydney has been a regular stop for the last few races. Before that New Zealand and then Australia's Gold Coast were stopover ports.

Leg 4 is, therefore, usually Western Australia to East Coast Australia, perhaps including the Rolex Sydney Hobart after Christmas and then a short hop back up the East Coast. The leg needs to advance the race to China. Going East around Australia makes some sense as there's a large continent on our doorstep.

Because it's Christmas Sydney Hobart is a possibility. Then you need to go North to get around Australia and back towards China. This means lots of races The advantages to Leg 4 are, in my opinion, as follows;

PROS

• More than one race per leg (usually). The leg has previously been split into as many as 4 different races. As a 'legger' one of the big advantages is that if one race goes wrong due to breakage (people or yacht) then you still have more bites at a podium.
• In the past, there have been some great stopovers on Leg 4. Plenty of fun stopovers (and a long stopover in Sydney sometimes) makes for a fun time. However, I noticed the fleet has just had copper anti-fouling treatment, so the Sydney stopover may not be as long in future (they used to lift the boats to apply antifoul at this halfway stage).
• Southern Ocean! You get to dip into the Southern Ocean again. A real box-ticker for most sailors.
• Sydney Hobart. OK, so you've already done more Southern Ocean miles that a Sydney Hobart racer before you get to the start line, but the race has real kudos and that first reach down to The Heads in Sydney Harbour is a real blast and worth experiencing.
• Weather - It's the Southern hemisphere's summer when you're there, so generally the weather is good. OK, the Southern Ocean always has the potential to be a cold and ornery beast - but the sail North is usually good and the Coral Sea in January is a nice place to be (except for the Cyclones).

CONS

• Australia is a long way from the UK. If you're resident in Europe, Oz is an expensive return fare if you are doing one leg.
• You are away from home for Christmas... Of course, some people might see this as a benefit!
• No Ocean Crossing - You get the Southern Ocean. But you don't get to cross an Ocean. If that's important to you, this may be a deal breaker but read on..
  
• It's Cyclone season. These monsters are very predictable and the race works around any forecast problems, but this can change the timetable. That said, this is normally relevant to Leg 5, not leg 4.

All in all, I'd say Leg 4 is a good leg. It has several races, it's set in a great part of the World and there are iconic events and locations all around you and a mix of conditions. What's not to like?

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!)