The second leg of the race is all about open ocean sailing and should see the fast foiling IMOCAs stretch their legs in some classic tradewind sailing conditions before the crews get their first taste in this edition of the strong winds of the South Atlantic during the final section of the leg.
The route takes the fleet south out of Cabo Verde, across the Equator close to the coast of Brazil, down the coast of South America avoiding the Saint Helena high pressure system, and then into Cape Town on the southern tip of South Africa. After leaving the Cabo Verde islands the crews will immediately start to try to position themselves for the fastest route across the Equator.
That means finding the narrowest section of the Doldrums – a transient band of persistent light and unstable winds that straddle the Equator. In late January/early February the preferred crossing point is on the Brazilian side of the Atlantic. Once in the southern hemisphere the crews will be on the hunt for tradewinds that will help drive them quickly along the South American coast before making the left turn towards Cape Town.
However, the direct route to the finish is blocked by a persistent light wind weather phenomenon known as the St Helena high pressure system. This amorphous mass of warm weather and light winds changes shape at will and the crews will need to be wary of it as they squeeze between its western edge and the South American landmass.
The latter stages of the leg could produce some of the fastest sailing of the entire race as the crews make the most of some fast downwind sailing conditions on the way to Cape Town.
In previous editions the crew’s normal strategy would be to dive deep into the south to try to hitch a ride on one of the fast-moving storm systems that regularly hurtle eastwards towards Cape Town. This time however the crews of the foiling IMOCAs may search out more moderate conditions by cutting closer to the Saint Helena High – a persistent area of high pressure and light winds.
Approaching the finish line off Cape Town’s Victoria and Albert Waterfront can be challenging and the weary crews will need to stay on full alert as they pick their way carefully past the enormous wind shadow cast by the city’s iconic Table Mountain.