Skipper Steve Wilkins kept the faith

Although beaten to the finishing line by a jubilant Flatron, the team were pleased with their runner-up position in the hotly contested leg from Boston to Buenos Aires.

Skipper Stephen Wilkins explained his strategy during the race.

"We set out with a definite plan to make sure we held an East- South East course for the first half to position ourselves well for the Doldrums and the approach of the Brazilian coast."

But as the days passed and Spirit of Hong Kong stubbornly remained in 12th place out of twelve - doubts started creeping in.

Crossing the equator

"We had lots of e-mails from friends and family saying, "Have you gone mad?" what the hell are you guys doing out there!

"But you have to believe in your plans and gut instinct - although there are also a few quiet chats with the man upstairs."

The chats obviously paid off because the yacht gradually forged its way to the front of the fleet, overtaking rival boats although Flatron remained beyond their reach.

But Stephen, 37, said: "I am so proud of the way the crew fought back. We have all learnt a lot from this trip."

Dubbed the "gin and tonic" leg, the 6,000 mile slog to BA proved to be anything but an easy ride.

Ready to repel flying fish

Crews had to cope with hurricane strength winds, tropical heat making life below deck unbearable and the frustations of sailing into no wind and glassy seas.

At one point their water-maker broke down and even the flying fish seemed against them at times.

Canadian Mario Parent, 34, said: "One of those kamikaze fish just missed our helmsman Bjorn on one night watch and another hit Vincent our Frenchman right on the head."

Nappy rash

And then there was the delicate issue of nappy rash.

American, Paul Lynch, 38, a bond trader, explains one of the downsides of taking part in the world's toughest yacht race.

Equatorial virgins get covered in slops

"What every baby knows is this: If you sit around in wet shorts you get a rash on your butt!" he said.

"Sleeping becomes a challenge. Because the bunks are slung like a hammock you can't really sleep on your stomach.

"But sleeping on your back is not an option when you are a 38-year-old with nappy rash. A whole bunch of tossing and turning I can tell you."

For those onboard crossing the equator for the first time - there was also a special treat in store on 4 November.

Neptune's court

Tradition has it that as the boats cross the 00 latitude, King Neptune should board the yacht to try all "equatorial virgins", meaning people who haven't crossed the line before.

Steve Strong, an air-conditioning specialist from Kent donned the Royal robes to read out a host of alleged offences ranging from polluting the sea with vomit to never shutting up.

The punishment - being covered in a specially fermented concoction of slops, parmesan cheese and rubbish.

Stephen said: "As judge I obviously took no pleasure in the ceremony."

The crew is now looking forward to some well deserved rest in Argentina before gearing up for their next perilous journey across the Southern Ocean to New Zealand.

Alas one popular crewmate will not be alongside them.

Dr Ingrid Kane has decided to pull out of the race after suffering from severe seasickness during the first two legs.