Simon Mann completes Sydney to Hobart dream

An Army major has completed a gruelling 730-mile yacht race in Australia after first honing his boating skills as a teenager in South Staffordshire.

Simon Mann, aged 44, from Wombourne, fulfilled an ambition by competing in the 66th annual Sydney to Hobart race, known as the Bluewater Classic.

The race saw 86 yachts set out on Boxing Day on a course from the New South Wales coast to the neighbouring island of Tasmania.

Mr Mann's team finished in 66th position on New Year's Eve after more than five days at sea, a credible position as the five-strong crew was sailing 'Illusion', the contest's smallest yacht.

The father-of-two, a former Blakeley Heath and Ounsdale High School pupil, began boating at Himley Hall Sailing Club.

He joined the army in 1992 after two years with Territorial Army in Oldbury, and became a Major with the Royal Engineers. He is nearing the end of a two-year secondment to the Australian army in Sydney. He said:"I started sailing dinghies as a youngster in Staffordshire and worked my way up to bigger boats."

His parents Annette and Barrie still live in Wombourne. Barrie, a retired teacher, said: "He endured three heavy storms in the race. The crew found it hard, but he has always wanted to do it. He is a good sailor and fearless.".

He will take up a post as a company commander in Hertfordshire in April.