A HUSBAND and wife duo from Oxford have completed a high-profile transatlantic yacht race after more than two weeks of ocean racing.

John and Hilary Edwards, both 50, crossed the finish line of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) in St Lucia after an 18-day voyage from the Canary Islands.

Part of a 12-member amateur crew to sign up with Southampton-based sailing specialists First Class Sailing, the couple helped their Challenger 72 yacht to 52nd place overall and sixth in class in the renowned 2,700-mile ARC despite their relative inexperience.

The driving force behind the couple’s participation, Hilary was exhilarated to have ticked off a long-term ambition.

She said: “It was a great experience and I would do it all over again.

“I liked the competition aspect which made life more exciting, but also the calmness of being out on the ocean alone, uncontactable and without another boat in sight.

“Everyone gelled really well. I was so pleased that we did it.”

John, a retired financial sector entrepreneur, said: “Some of the highlights included the incredible night skies in the mid-Atlantic and dolphins swimming with the front of the boat as well as birds miles and miles out to sea.

“I remember the feeling as we saw the glow of the very first lights in the distance as we neared land.

“Vegetation floating on the sea as we approached landfall also evoked thoughts of those very first explorers who sailed the ocean not knowing if they would fall off the edge of the world or hit land.”

Skippered by Ricky Chalmers, with support from a mate and two watch leaders, their vessel was one of over 200 taking part.