Royal Navy senior rates Scott Hislop and Mick Leonard found themselves and their yacht tested to the limit when they entered the gruelling Azores and Back ocean race.

Just getting to the start line in Falmouth took nearly a year of planning and securing financial backing for the venture in their Class 1 Westerly Storm 33 yacht Osprey of Portland.

Nearly 50 yachts lined up in Falmouth for the so-called AZAB race, bound for Ponta Delgada in the Azores.

The numbers were quickly reduced as the race got under way, with yachts battered by gusts of more than 40 knots within the first two days, causing widespread seasickness and some retirements.

At one point the Navy duo feared a container ship was about to run them down, and they frantically waved flares at the oncoming vessel.

“He advised us that he had us on radar and would pass well clear. It didn’t seem like it when he appeared to be bearing down on us,” said Scott.

“While he did pass clear, he was close enough for us to read his name without binoculars.”

But when the winds dropped the racers fared no better – Charge Chief Scott and CPO Mick found their boat becalmed, with little prospect of getting to the Azores.

They decided to retire, rush for Ponta Delgada and turn around for the race home.

The run out to the Azores proved to be simply the overture to the real hard work, as the winds returned even stronger than on the outward leg.

And to make matters worse, the Osprey of Portland’s autohelm packed up, forcing the two sailors to share duties until reaching Britain.

“Two hours on, two off doesn’t sound bad, but when you’re off the helm there is still navigation, weather downloads, food preparation and communications to deal with,” said Scott.

Boats making the run for home suffered quite a battering – including Osprey of Portland, said Scott.

“A race update check revealed that the trimaran Meridian had capsized less than 100 miles from the finish – the crew were rescued by a Navy helicopter, but the yacht sank, which provided a reality check,” he added.

With Britain looming ever larger and winds still strong, the sailors’ boat was making 8 knots with the spinnaker up.

“We pushed the limits, which was physically and mentally demanding, but we flew along,” said Scott.

The boat crossed the line after nine hours and ten hours at sea, taking Class 1 Line Honours.

“We enjoyed a huge sense of achievement in taking line honours after 1,285 miles of manual helming,” Scott said.

“In 2,731 miles of sailing we both learned a great deal about sailing, each other, and how hard it is to bring a project like this to fruition.

“Was it worth it? Absolutely! Would we do it again? Too right!”