Camper is facing some 'monster' swells. Photo / Supplied.
Team New Zealand lead the pack in the early stages of leg four into Auckland as the Volvo Ocean Race fleet bashes upwind across the South China Sea.
A brutal sea state left over from several days of gale-force winds has made conditions uncomfortable for the fleet with waves as
high as five metres reported by the crews.
A drifting start in the wind shadow of Sanya's towering mountains belied the testing weather the crews found themselves in just hours later, after the wind and sea quickly ramped up, powering them towards the Strait of Luzon at speeds of up to 20 knots.
The monster waves have made life difficult for the teams, the crews holding their breath as the boats launch off steep waves and land with a sickening thud.
The crew of the Camper-sponsored boat have always felt confident about the conditions faced on this leg, having trained in the rugged Southern Ocean. And so far the Kiwi team have proved equal to the task, leading the charge to the first waypoint at the top of the Philippines.
