Sharp says the "weather gods" did not work in his favour

Sailor Phil Sharp has finished the Transat AG2R race in last place.

His decision early in the event to take a northerly route cost him a top 10 place when favourable trade winds helped the more southerly pack.

"Given the information we had at the time it looked like it would be the best thing to do," Sharp explained.

"Then really the whole weather scenario changed and literally just hung us out to dry up there, and we ended up with really light winds."

There is an element of luck in this game Phil Sharp

"Literally the weather gods just didn't work in our favour, there is an element of luck in this game, and you've really got to put it behind you and look forward."

The 2006 Route du Rhum finished in 23rd place at the back of the pack.

Sharp and team-mate David Krizek have been on reduced food rations since early in the race.

A few days ago they were also rationed to just one litre of water each per day after discovering they had less fresh water than they realised.

"Drinking one litre a day in the sweltering heat down here was pretty difficult and we started suffering a bit," Sharp said.

"But then something worked in our favour and a huge rain cloud came past and we used the main sail to fill two buckets of water."