AN army major stationed in the region is back on dry land after three weeks on the high seas.

Major Robin Bolton, who lives in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, and is stationed at nearby Catterick Garrison, was part of a British Army crew who competed in the DaimlerChrysler North Atlantic Challenge.

The Discoverer successfully completed the 3,600 mile journey on Monday and, more importantly, it docked well ahead of a rival team from the German Army, who had challenged them to a race to Hamburg.

Major Bolton said the Atlantic crossing was not without incident for the British crew.

"We suffered a major setback when we lost the heavy spinnaker sail due to strong winds. It was recovered in four parts, the top four metres, the bottom six metres of cloth and the leach tapes from each side," he said.

"Unbelievably, two days later, it was back up and working due to an enormous effort by teams of men from each watch working around the clock to tack, tape and stitch the metres upon metres of cloth back together again."

The crew also helped rescue a German yacht, Monsun, which began taking in water just before the halfway point.

The British team alerted the coastguard and co-ordinated radio traffic in the area, helping to guide rescue parties to the crew, who had to abandon ship.

Major Bolton said: "We're absolutely thrilled to have finished eighth; it's a fantastic achievement for all the boys.

"It's been a tough race with periods of very rough weather and we're all exhausted, but it has most definitely been worth it."

The race, won by the US team in 13 days, commemorated the 100th anniversary of Hamburg Yacht Club.