"It's certainly been a big year. When I was at the awards last year, I sailed on the Friday, came to the awards and drove back early Saturday morning for more training."
Tuke is in Cape Town following Mapfre's second-leg victory ahead of the third leg taking them to Melbourne.
It's been a bit of a change of pace for the Rio Olympic gold medallist but he said he was loving the challenge of the marquee event.
"It's definitely different but it is great sailing with some of the best sailors in the world and the race rewards pushing the boat. It's similar to the 49ers in that way," he said.
"It's cool to be outside the comfort zone.
"I've been enjoying being with the team. The majority of the team is Spanish so being with a different culture has been really cool. We've got a lot of experienced people so I'm learning every day. We've got a great shore crew too and we try to have a good time."
This is Tuke's maiden visit to Cape Town and this part of the global race was appealing to him.
"One of the things that really excite me about this race is not only sailing but going to places I haven't been before. It was special to sail into here with the Table Mountain visible on the approach," he said.
The Cape Town to Melbourne leg will test the Volvo crews more than the Lisbon voyage, with less than tropical conditions greeting them on the Southern Ocean.
"Next week will be super challenging. I haven't done this leg in 15 years or so. All Southern Ocean so it'll be cold firstly and pretty windy," he said.
"It should be mostly downwind with the westerlies prevailing. It's going to get colder really quick but hopefully we get on a system and we'll be in Melbourne on or around Christmas.
"It's the first big challenge, it's different than any other sailing since it's windy, rough and cold."
