ROWERS from Lyme Regis battling across the Atlantic are closing in on the finish line in Barbados.

The Corinthians – Brian Fletcher, Chris Walters, Tony Short and Elliot Dale – are racing 2,550 nautical miles from the Canary Islands to Barbados in the 2011 Talisker Challenge.

They expect to cross the line on Sunday.

The team have been at sea for nearly six weeks and have overcome many challenges – not least the weather and equipment failure that saw their team reduced to one rower at a time while the other steered manually.

Now they are in sixth place and this morning have around 230 miles to go – about the equivalent of Dorset to Dover left to row.

They told how they were looking forward to the finish in an entry on their online log.

Brian Fletcher said: “Spirits are high and we feel we are closing in on the finish.

“We have found a way to lock the auto steer on side against the hand steer on the other.

“The direction of travel is altered by fine tuning one against the other.”

They added: “A thinner but probably fitter crew have no complaints.

“Everyone is starting to dream of the finish and their first action in Barbados.

“Beer seems high on the list, up there with shower, bed and steak.”

After the media attention from national papers and TV news crews and the official presentations some crew members will stay behind to enjoy a short break with family in the sun.

Then it will be back to major celebrations in Lyme Regis – including a Christmas meal at The Talbot.