Sydney sailor Jack Bouttell celebrated his 24th birthday on board Volvo Ocean Race third-leg leaders Dongfeng Race Team on Sunday as they approached the notorious Malacca Strait from the Bay of Bengal.
Bouttell was plucked from the Chinese-backed team's shore crew for his first taste of the world's most prestigious - and toughest - round-the-world race for the 4670-nautical mile (nm) stage between Abu Dhabi and Sanya in China.
On Sunday evening, Dongfeng led by 62.4nm from second-placed Spanish boat, MAPFRE, with Team Alvimedica (Turkey/US) third, just under 2nm further adrift. The leaders are expected to finish the leg around January 27-28 after leaving the UAE on January 3.
"It's my 24th birthday today but there's no place I'd rather be at the moment," Bouttell told AAP in an exclusive message from a team aiming to be the first China-backed boat to win a leg in the race.
This is the third Chinese team to compete in the event and victory at Sanya in the third of nine legs would also give them the overall lead.
"It's my first Volvo Ocean Race and we're currently leading so it's pretty cool," Bouttell added.
His crew are entering the Malacca Strait, a 500nm stretch of water separating Sumatra and Malaysia and one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
In the past, navigators have been forced to dodge discarded fridges and washing machines.
"Generally, there's lots of things to run into and avoid - and chaos. We'll keep our eyes open and hopefully get through safely and push on to Sanya," said Bouttell.
His boat is being hotly pursued by Queenslander Will Oxley, navigator on board Team Alvimedica.
The 49-year-old is competing in his fourth Volvo Ocean Race - but he is just as wary of the strait.
"I have been pouring over electronic and paper charts, sailing directions, historical notes and current information in preparation for the Malacca Strait," he told AAP.
"It's a tricky place to sail at the best of times and it pays to be prepared.
"I did not have a good time in the Strait in the last Volvo Ocean Race (2011-12) on board Camper. At one stage, we had strong currents against us and we were forced to anchor, waiting for sea breeze ... the leaders sailed away further offshore."
Stacey Jackson, another Queenslander, has kept sixth-placed Team SCA in the hunt despite a ripped sail in the Bay of Bengal. The crew are the first all-women's team in the event in 12 years.
"We had a major wind shift which resulted in us severely damaging one of our sails.
"We carry a sewing machine on board. I'm the onboard sailmaker so that was my next six hours, repairing the sail."
The race, which started in Spain on October 4, is scheduled to finish in Sweden on June 27 after visiting 11 ports and every continent over almost 39,000nm.
