Rowers fall short after 76 day journey

Two British rowers have fallen agonisingly short of completing an Atlantic Ocean race after crashing into a reef just over a kilometre from shore.

Phil Pring and Ben Cumming spent 76 days at sea and covered more than 4000 kilometres in their journey only to run aground off an Antiguan coast.

According to organisers of the Atlantic Rowing Race, the pair failed to finish the race but officially rowed the Atlantic after passing the eastern tip of Antigua.

A spokesman told the Daily Mail newspaper how the duo's effort came to a disappointing end.

"The boat passed over a first reef and narrowly avoided capsizing but despite the efforts of the guys to row clear the breaking surf rolled the vessel which became trapped on the reef.

"It's absolutely gutting - to be so close to the finish line must be very hard to take.

"But they did complete a transatlantic crossing and hopefully that achievement will be enough for them."

Earlier this month New Zealander Shaun Quincey completed a 2200km solo journey from Australia to New Zealand in 53 days, however TVNZ Breakfast host Paul Henry questioned whether Quincey completed the journey after ditching his boat and swimming the final stages.