Race 4, Leg 3, takes the Clipper Race into the southern Indian Ocean and down into the ‘Roaring Forties’ from Cape Town - South Africa, to Fremantle - Western Australia. Early in the race skipper Ryan Gibson reported:

“I'm extremely proud of how well the crew are managing, progressing and keeping such a good atmosphere on board. It is cold, wet and hard conditions but the motivation is there and everyone is learning more and more every day.

“Some people viewing the Race Viewer must be wondering why we are trying to detour past the South Pole, but the weather routing puts us in favourable winds doing this course and trying to keep up with the low system as long as possible. It seems to be paying off in the long run now.”

By late November it really felt like the Roaring Forties with high gusty winds, heavy rain and a confused swell. Luckily, there was no lightning or thunder. Temperatures dropped significantly plus the wind chill coming from a more southerly direction brought cold air, and extremely wet.

Ryan added: “The birds that loved following us are gone, and it feels like a really unique remoteness of where we are sailing right now. Also, knowing that not many people get the chance to sail here, all of us are embracing this opportunity and suppose we all have respect for each other that we are all here taking on this huge adventure that the Clipper Race offers!”

Crew member Jeroen Koster adds: “Our days are filled with so many amazing moments and as Race Crew, we often talk about how to share our experience…words cannot describe it really. Picture a sunset that dresses the sky in bright orange. The sun itself is partly covered by a misty cloud of spray caused by the strong winds sweeping the waves which have swelled to a respectable 6 meters.

“These winds, these waves are what make sailing both magnificent and challenging. The challenges we face make us question our sanity, amplify our longing for the warmth of our homes and our loved ones and at the same time build our pride, resolve, and resilience to be part of this extraordinary journey.

“The magnificence of ocean sailing was never clearer than today as we navigate our precious Dare To Lead from Africa towards Australia across the endless and relentless Roaring Forties… For me, at the helm today racing at speeds of up to 26 knots, I felt so incredibly alive.”

As Fremantle approached, hard work on deck was rewarded with tasty food in the galley as victualler Gary used up supplies that would otherwise have to be confiscated and disposed of in WA to conform with biosecurity precautions. The reward was individual mouth-watering chorizo, cheese, pepper and onion omelettes.

Skipper Ryan said that the end of the race is when the crew get a bit anxious about maintaining their position and choosing the correct routing to clinch another podium position!

This was the first leg with a Dare To Lead – Liyaba ‘ambassador’ aboard: 19 year old Luci Mensah. She wrote in her crew blog: “Why? Why have I done this? I think I joined because I thought it would be an experience that would be different and would be inspiring to young females and people from disadvantaged backgrounds. I think it’s a way for breaking through from all of those stereotypes that females can’t really do these intense sports, to show strength.

“I was told that the weather would be cold, but I didn’t realise quite how cold it would be. It’s freezing! If you don’t have dry clothes, you're just going to be cold and miserable on deck, it is getting warmer but for a lot of this leg it has just been cold and wet.

“The sailing is intense, but nice. We started off with calmer weather, you could easily walk around the boat. As the weeks went by the ocean got really unsettled, handling the winches, grinding and just getting round has become hard. The kites are hard to handle but I prefer it because it makes us faster.

“The hardest part of the trip has been sleep, I value it and in some sort of way that has been taken away but it's part of the whole experience… You have to live with what you have and not what you want…

“The hardest part has been the seasickness, all you can do is be in bed because it takes away your energy and your appetite, while you'd think the extra sleep you get would help but it doesn’t. Its takes different times for everyone to just get better, keep your bags in our pockets!

“I’m looking forward to the finish, this is the ride of my life..I think the experience will make me a stronger person in the future, I feel I will be able to put myself into harder situations more confidently.”

The team Crossed the Finish Line at 13:32:52UTC on 10 December, when Dare To Lead claimed its second consecutive podium of the Clipper 2023-24 Race, placing third on the Race 4: Marlow Roaring Forties Challenge – a 4,700nm race across the Roaring Forties with 27.8 knots its top boat speed.

Ryan said as the team arrived in Fremantle: “To get into Australia in third place is amazing! It was a good race, testing of course, but everyone enjoyed it. The Scoring Gate and Ocean Sprint really kept us going. Everyone was motivated from the start and we kept it going until the end. I’m extremely proud of the team, especially on this leg with everyone out of their comfort zone. Let’s just keep the momentum going forward!”

AQP Charlie added: “I’m very happy with the result. It’s exactly what we were looking for, just getting some consistency in our results. It’s a pleasure to be here, it’s nice and warm which is a change from the past race!”

Ambassador Luci Mensah said: “I feel wonderful! I am really excited and overwhelmed it’s a great feeling. I wish I could do it again. The most incredible thing was the team bonding, and I would do this race again over and over again! This is a very humbling experience. I’m so glad I did it and I would never change it for anything in the world.”

On behalf of the Team Partners Dirk Van Daele said "Congratulations team Dare To Lead.

"You have aimed for the podium and worked extremely hard to consistently lead by example.

"In addition to securing third place into Fremantle, by my calculation, you will become top of the leader board overall when race and Scoring Gate points are added after this leg. An incredible achievement!

"I must also mention our first Ambassador - Luci. You have taken on one of the toughest legs in the race. I know you have suffered sea sickness at times but that you recognise the impact this experience is and will have on you.”

To sum up Leg 3 the crew wrote fresh lyrics for this classic festive favourite:

On the twelfth day of sailing our skipper gave to us:

Twelve sailors sleeping

Eleven winches turning

Ten kilos of biltong (maybe more)

Nine leaking hatches

Eight-metre waves

Seven dolphins leaping

Six sailors sicking

Five “yank a hanks”

Four grinders grinding

Three snapped halyards

Two helmers helming

And one large rip in the Code 3

Merry Christmas, With love

The Dare To Lead Team

Megan Allpress (+ Steven Taylor)