Atlantic rowers finish ocean voyage

The pair in Tenerife before the gruelling crossing

Two British rowers are planning a massive New Year celebration after completing a 2,900-mile race across the Atlantic.

Alex Hinton, 28, from Snape, Suffolk, and Damian West, 35, from Bakewell, Derbyshire, have lost several stones in weight after almost running out of food before landing in Barbados on Boxing Day.

The pair spoke of their elation at completing the crossing in 79 days, as part of an international race.

They are planning to fly home on Friday to spend New Year with family and friends who they have not seen since October.

Tough final days

Mr Hinton said the most gruelling part of the voyage was the last few days as they were forced to row on dwindling supplies of food.

The pair had planned to complete the race, in their 24ft boat 43º west, in just over 60 days but strong winds hampered their progress.

They were forced to eat half rations for the last four weeks of the challenge.

"I'm just really pleased to be here," said Mr Hinton speaking to News Online from Barbados.

The pair cut their food to half rations

"We were completely out of food. We were down to three meals a day of dehydrated food of 400 calories each, which is nothing like enough to do a day's rowing on.

"But the last three or four days were down to less than that.

"We were nearly exhausted by the time we got there.

"We did nothing but eat for the first 24 hours," he said.

'Surreal' landing

The pair landed at 0700 GMT - 79 days, 21 hours and 41 minutes after setting sail from Tenerife on 7 October.

The pair were well behind the winners, a New Zealand team who landed on 18 November, but were ahead of the six teams still to finish from the 35-boat field.

They were met by their girlfriends and half a dozen rowers who had delayed their return home to welcome the pair back to dry land.

"It was fantastic, I was a bit bemused by the whole thing, it was a surreal moment in the middle of the night," he said.

Alex Hinton (left) training with Damian West

"I'm just on a massive high, the adrenaline is keeping us awake."

They both plan to fly home on Friday to meet up with their families on Saturday.

"I had planned to spend some time in Barbados but now all we want to do is to get home and see family and friends and celebrate," he said.

His father, Graeme Hinton, said: "It's a total relief, particularly for his mother, Sara. It's a huge weight off her shoulders.

"Christmas has been held up awaiting his return.

"He's got lots of presents I don't know if anyone is going to get any in return but his biggest present will be coming home," he said.