The 39,270 NM route involved stopovers and in-port races in Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Sanya, Auckland, Itajaí, Miami, Lisbon, Lorient, and finally Galway.

[10] The fleet were led round the turning mark near the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha by Puma Ocean Racing, powered by BERG Propulsion on 17 November.

Groupama placed third, several days after the leaders, as they missed the lowpressure system Telefónica and Camper used to cross the southern Atlantic at high speed.

Team Sanya were forced to suspend racing following a rigging failure and missed the cargo ship from the secret port to Abu Dhabi.

[14][15] Was held on 13 January 2012 and was won by Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, with Groupama coming second, and Camper third.

Due to the threat of piracy around Somalia, the fleet was transported once again by ship to Male from where the third leg of the race began.

On 18 February 2012 Team Telefónica took their second in-port victory in perfect sailing conditions with flat waters and winds gusting up to 20 knots.

This leg, the longest in the race, included safety waypoints which were designed to keep the boats north of the main areas of iceberg risk.

Team Sanya suffered rudder and hull damage on 22 March and were forced to return to New Zealand.

Team New Zealand repaired the boat and continued on while Abu Dhabi was shipped from there to Itajai, Brazil.

Groupama motored to Punta del Este and following the creation of a jury rig rejoined the race and was placed third.

From Lisbon the fleet travelled to a turning point at São Miguel Island before heading to Lorient.