NZ rowers second in 81-day race

(L-R) Peter Staples, Billy Gammon, Matthew Hampel (top) and Tom Wigram pictured during their voyage. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand's four-man crew in a charity rowing race across the Indian Ocean overcame huge storms, a capsize, and malfunctioning equipment to cruise into Mauritius in second place overall yesterday.

The Rowing for Prostate (RFP) crew of Tom Wigram, Peter Staples, Billy Gammon and Matt Hampel - all expat Britons - completed the 3132 nautical mile journey from Western Australia in 81 days, four hours and one minute.

Four boats have now completed the inaugural race.

Two other boats, with only two-man crews on board are still competing, but the remaining six have retired.

"It's been an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish but the elation to have succeeded in what we set out to do and to have finished in second place overall is the best feeling ever," Gammon said.

But the journey was not without its drama, as 10-metre swells threatened to swallow up the 8.8m purpose-built boat.

The team had a torrid time two weeks ago when "horrendous storms" capsized the boat, knocking out their communications equipment.

Gammon and Staples, who were rowing at the time, were thrown out of their seats, but were wearing lifejackets tethered to the boat.

"We all got away unscathed, just very wet," Hampel told Radio New Zealand.

But there was no contact with worried race organisers or family back home for six days.

They were eventually located by a coastguard plane, and communication established by VHF radio.

"The weather took all the teams by surprise," Hampel said.

"It's been the worst on record across the Indian (Ocean)."

There were days when the team made no progress at all.

"Rowing all day to find you have gone backwards over old ground is the most demoralising feeling ever," Gammon said.

"They've done incredibly well to get all the way across here," said race duty officer Tony Humphries."

"Kind" conditions on the last leg into Mauritius provided a boost for the rowers, allowing them a speedier finish than they had anticipated.

"We got here a week earlier than we thought we might do," Hampel said.

The team had ruled itself out of any chance of success when their sliding seats malfunctioned on day four.

"For us, winning was just about getting to the other side. To find out when we got here that we got second was just phenomenal."

Hampel said the conditions had been challenging for the crew, but they knew the race would be tough.

"It was definitely scary and it had us on edge, but (we are) very relieved to be here now."

Eighty-one days at sea had changed their bodies.

"We've got these big shoulders and chests, and then these skinny little chicken legs."

Time in the gym would sort that out, Hampel said.

The rowers had a few injuries which need checking out at the local hospital, but expected to fly home next week.

The first boat across the line was a British crew of four who crossed on June 27 after 68 days, 19 hours and 40 minutes.

- NZPA