Renowned for its challenging conditions and energising close racing, Leg 5 is a multi-stage leg on the Clipper Race circumnavigation that is full of variety. Teams race over two hemispheres, face many big navigational challenges, endure both marathon sailing and short, sharp sprints and soak up the culture at Host Ports in Australia and Asia.

This leg begins by heading north from the east coast of Australia, and although it may start off upwind, the winds will slowly veer more to the east as teams head towards the Doldrums, providing great conditions for some fun, fast sailing.

One thing that’s for certain is that this leg is hot. Very hot. As teams navigate the Doldrums Corridor, there will be plenty of excitement for the equator crossing. For circumnavigators, this will mark their return to the Northern Hemisphere and there’s sure to be a visit from King Neptune on board, as he initiates the Pollywogs into Shellbacks in a fun-filled ceremony to celebrate the naval tradition.

Great spinnaker sailing will feature in the tropics, where plenty of marvellous wildlife will start to say hello; watch out for overconfident flying fish that are sure to make themselves known to all on board. As the fleet approaches the northern islands of the Philippines, they will pass through the Luzon Strait and dip into the South China Sea. This is where all crew need to keep a sharp lookout and think on their feet, with an immense amount of traffic and fishing activity to spice things up.

In addition to all the varied sailing opportunity, Leg 5 is multi-stage making it an ideal leg for those looking to discover Asia and soak up some culture.