Fierce Turtle
  • Home
  • Crew Advice
  • Hire Shop
  • Sailing Kit
    • Online Store
    • Pre-Used Kit
    • Ocean Sleepwear Sleeping Bag
  • Videos
  • FAQs
  • CONTACT ME
  • Home
  • Crew Advice
  • Hire Shop
  • Sailing Kit
    • Online Store
    • Pre-Used Kit
    • Ocean Sleepwear Sleeping Bag
  • Videos
  • FAQs
  • CONTACT ME

The Pros and Cons of Leg 2

17/12/2016

Comments

 
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!)
Comments
comments powered by Disqus
    Picture
    The Author (kneeling)
    Mark Burkes is a former Clipper Race Skipper, a round the world crew member, Clipper Training Skipper & jobbing RYA Yachtmaster Instructor. He has over 250,000 miles logged.

    Mark also writes professionally both online and offline and has written for Yachting World.

    ADVICE BY TOPIC

    All
    Clipper Race Advice
    Clipper Training Advice
    Health At Sea
    Kit Reviews
    Leg 1
    Leg 2
    Leg 3
    Leg 4
    Leg 5
    Leg 6
    Leg 7
    Leg 8
    Race Advice
    Recommended Reading
    Sailing Kit
    Sailing News
    Sailing Tips
    Skills & Tips
    Tips & Tricks For Crew
    Videos

    Fierce Turtle is not linked to nor is it in any way accredited by the splendid folk at Clipper Ventures. All opinion is my own.
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    July 2023
    October 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    June 2020
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Buy it now on Amazon!
    Picture
    A must-read for Clipper Crew!
    Picture
    Picture
    This blog is entirely free. However, if you'd like to make a small contribution towards web hosting costs it'd be very much appreciated. 

fierceturtle.co.uk

Clipper Frequently Asked Questions
Clipper Crew Blog
Packing List for Clipper Training
Kit Reviews
​View our terms of business
​
Return a purchase to us
​Leave feedback on this website
​Contact Us

Premium Services

Instructional Video Content
Pre-Used Kit | Classified Ads
Other Stories
Race Across America | Our Story
The Longest Swim | Across the Pacific
PRIVACY & GDPR POLICIES
© COPYRIGHT 2012-23. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

256 bit secure checkout powered by stripe.