The fleet still have more than 4,000 nautical miles (7,408km) of sailing before they reach Auckland Harbour and crew member of leading yacht MAPFRE, Blair Tuke, said "things have got gradually a little bit worse".
Dee Caffari, from Turn the Tide on Plastic who are currently in fourth place, said although it was a great way to gain some miles, it had been very wet.
Peter Burling on board Team Brunel. Photo / Yann Riou
"There is water pouring down the deck, everyone is wet, everything is wet inside and out but no one is complaining as we all know this is short lived and we will cover some serious miles while we are at it," Caffari said.
"And the water is warm, 19 degrees, matching the air temperature."
Reflecting differing tactical choices, the fleet remains largely in two groups, with Peter Burling's Team Brunel narrowly in second place.
The second group of boats, which consist of Team AkzoNobel and Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag , chose to tack hard north immediately after passing the southern tip of Taiwan.
Team Scallywag's navigator Libby Greenhalgh. Photo / Jeremie Lecaudey
Scallywag navigator, Libby Greenhalgh, hopes their bold tactical decision, which saw them win Leg 4 of the race, will pay dividend's once again.
"Long term, we're trying to hook into the northerly breeze. In theory, we'll be into that first and be in a position to come bow down on top of the fleet," said Greenhalgh.
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