The toughest leg of the Volvo Ocean Race is about to begin, and for Team SCA it will be the first time most of the crew has experienced the testing conditions of the Southern Ocean.

– #Quiz360: WIN dinner for two at Media Rotana
– VOR battle heats up as pack close on ADOR and Dongfeng

With a Tropical Depression including 40+ knot winds moving in this Sunday, there is also a possibility the boats may have to wait out the storm and depart Auckland 24 hours later.

The majority of the crew are Southern Ocean novices, so Leg 5 will be a real test of endurance and heavy weather sailing.

Sophie Ciszek (AUS) returns onboard, having missed the two legs due to a back injury.

After two months of rehabilitation training, Sophie is now fit to sail and, as one of the downwind helmswomen on the crew, she is excited to join the race again.

Sara Hastreiter (USA), and OnBoard Reporter Anna-Lena Elled (SWE) also join her for the 6,776-mile leg from Auckland to Itajai in Brazil.

InPort Race Crew List Carolijn Brouwer (NED); Sally Barkow (USA); Dee Caffari (GBR); Sophie Ciszek (AUS); Sam Davies (GBR); Abby Ehler (GBR); Libby Greenhalgh (GBR); Stacey Jackson (AUS); Annie Lush (GBR); Elodie Mettraux (SUI); Liz Wardley (AUS). Anna-Lena Elled (SWE) OnBoard Reporter Leg Five Crew List Carolijn Brouwer (NED); Dee Caffari (GBR); Sophie Ciszek (AUS); Sam Davies (GBR); Abby Ehler (GBR); Libby Greenhalgh (GBR); Sara Hastreiter (USA), Stacey Jackson (AUS); Annie Lush (GBR); Elodie Mettraux (SUI); Liz Wardley (AUS).