Volvo Ocean Race boats get up close and personal with Southern Ocean – in pictures

Luke Parkinson of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing swings out over the Southern Ocean to tie a changing sheet during Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race on Monday. Matt Knighton / Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing / Volvo Ocean Race

Water flows onto the deck of the Dongfeng Race Team boat on Monday during Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race to Itajai, Brazil. Yann Riou / Dongfeng Race Team / Volvo Ocean Race

Justin Slattery steers Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing's Azzam through a wave during Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race on Tuesday. Matt Knighton / Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing / Volvo Ocean Race

Team Alvimedica sailors shown on the foredeck on Monday during Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race. Amory Ross / Team Alvimedica / Volvo Ocean Race

Water crashes onto the deck of the Team SCA boat on Monday as they navigate their way to Brazil during Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race. Anna-Lena Elled / Team SCA / Volvo Ocean Race

Waves crash aboard Mapfre's boat during Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race on Monday. Francisco Vignale / Mapfre / Volvo Ocean Race

Waves crash over the Team Alvimedica boat on Tuesday during Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race in the Southern Ocean. Amory Ross / Team Alvimedica / Volvo Ocean Race

A view aboard Dongfeng Race Team's boat during Leg 5 to Itajai, Brazil of the Volvo Ocean Race on Monday. Yann Riou / Dongfeng Race Team / Volvo Ocean Race

The Southern Ocean sprays the Team Brunel boat on Sunday during Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race from New Zealand to Brazil. Stefan Coppers / Team Brunel / Volvo Ocean Race

Water crashes into Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing sailors Louis Sinclair, Daryl Wislang and Phil Harmer in the Southern Ocean on Tuesday during Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race. Matt Knighton / Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing / Volvo Ocean Race

Team SCA's Stacey Jackson on the bow for a sail change during Leg 5 of the Volvo Ocean Race on Monday. Anna-Lena Elled / Team SCA / Volvo Ocean Race

Images from Leg 5 of the 2014/15 Volvo Ocean Race, considered among the most demanding stretches of sailing in the sport, as the boats enter one of its most trying periods in the Southern Ocean. Click the arrows above to scroll through the photos.

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE