Richie McCaw and Dan Carter have thrown their support behind Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing

Southampton skipper Ian Walker welcomed the All Blacks stars on board Abu Dhabi ahead of the start of the fifth leg of the race which began last October off the coast of Spain.

Walker and his fellow fleet skippers have to wait at least an extra 48-hours before leaving New Zealand on leg five to Itajaí, Brazil, after Cyclone Pam forced race organisers to hold the fleet in Auckland until Tuesday at the earliest.

Carter and McCaw were due to be on-board Azzam for the leg start and jump from her stern as the boat left Auckland, which was originally scheduled for today.

However, expected 40-knot winds ruled out any sailing in Auckland and the celebrated rugby internationals had to settle for a tour of the Abu Dhabi yacht from Walker.

“Dan and I wanted to give Ian and the guys a good send off on Leg 5 and we had been putting some serious thought into our jumps,” said McCaw.

“I was particularly keen to try out a back flip so it’s a pity Pam has put paid to those plans.

“Even so, it’s been great to meet the Abu Dhabi crew and get a chance to look around Azzam.”

Carter added: “The race has been incredibly close so far and there is a real atmosphere of anticipation among the crew before they set off for Brazil.

“Having been down below on Azzam, I now have a much better appreciation of how tough these guys have to be.

“I can’t imagine what it must feel like to be heading off so far south and around Cape Horn.”

When the pair challenged each other to see who was fastest on a grinding simulator, it was McCaw who came out ahead. Then, up stepped ADOR under-30-sailor Louis Sinclair whose arms were a blur as the 24-year old Antiguan eclipsed both their times.

“That’s pretty impressive technique,” said McCaw admiringly afterwards. “To be honest though, I was just trying to make sure I beat Dan – so for me it’s ‘job done’.”

“There is no doubt how fit and strong the sailors are,” added Carter. “They have to be to trim the sails and moving all the gear about while you are crashing through the ocean must be backbreaking – and you have to do it for weeks at a time.”

The rugby duo rounded off their ADOR visit by throwing and kicking signed mini-rugby balls from Azzam’s foredeck to a crowd of cheering fans who had gathered on a nearby bridge.

“It’s been fantastic to spend time with Ian and his crew and find out more about this amazing race they are in,” said Carter. “I will be following their progress closely on the next leg and for the rest of the race.”

McCaw added: “I wish them nothing but fair winds and safe passage. Leg 5 looks like it’s going to be brutal so sail fast and stay safe guys.”

Race management officials tracking Pam since the tropical depression formed a week ago reacted promptly to delay the start when it became clear that the huge storm’s path would cut a swathe through the fleet on the first night if the yachts departed as originally scheduled on Sunday.

As well as expected 50 to 60 knot peak winds, the prospect of an horrendous sea state and waves of up to 20 metres meant officials decided to hold the fleet back until at least Tuesday.

It was a move that had the full support of Walker.

“We have been watching Pam’s progress closely and it became increasingly clear that it would have been foolhardy to start the race on time,” he said.

“The skippers and the race management team worked closely together and it was a sensible decision to delay while the worst of it passed.”

Walker and his crew’s strategy of minimising risk, sticking close to the fleet and keeping cover on their nearest rivals has served them well.

They have yet to finish off the podium and hold the overall race lead.