A family competing in a yacht race across the Atlantic have successfully finished in time for Christmas.

The Campbell-Ross family, of Ilkley, have dropped their anchor at St Lucia after finishing in 99th position in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC).

A total of 225 yachts took part in the race and the family of five are extremely pleased with their performance.

They left Gran Canaria on Sunday, November 24, and reached St Lucia last Thursday. They had expected the race to take them 21 days but finished in 19.

Sue said: "We have made it! We have crossed the Atlantic. Our first ocean crossing and probably not our last! It was amazingly exciting to see the outline of Martinique at sunset. It was a sunset to remember forever. The most spectacular so far."

Sue and Rod and their three children Pippa, Harry and Emily sailed a total of 2,800 nautical miles on

their 44ft yacht Tintin in the race.

When they sailed into Rodney Bay, the children dressed in Tintin's team colours and an aeroplane saluted them at the finishing line.

Sue added: "It began to pour with rain as we sailed into Rodney Bay and over the finish line. In no time at all we were all hugging and congratulating and drinking rum punches with the ARC people on the pontoon. We had done it.

"We made some toasts, first we drank to Tintin who sailed so well and kept us all safe, then we drank to St Lucia and to good times ahead. We all drank a toast to Rod, who kept the whole shebang on the right course and climbed up the mast for us and fixed, welded and sweated blood to get us here, and we toasted the children who have been so amazing on this crossing."

The family will now spend Christmas on the yacht in St Lucia and will be joined by their friends.

They intend to have a big celebration with the

other competitors from the race.

Sue has already decorated the yacht. Despite having limited space on it when they left Ilkley, she packed away lots of Christmas decorations.

"When I packed up our home, I took out some Christmas decorations so that whilst we were crossing the Atlantic we could decorate the boat and have a tree etc," she said.

"Rod couldn't believe that I was using precious space to store decorations but you have to get your priorities right - Christmas is Christmas after all!

"I also packed some Christmas music tapes and CDs, so we will have to turn off Queen and Ricky Martin for a bit of Silent Night and Good King Wenceslas.

"We have no idea where we will be for New Year. I suspect we may have moved on from St Lucia - but who cares, wherever we'll be it will be hot, balmy and very merry!"

The family have been cruising around Europe

since April as part of their 18-month voyage to Australia where they intend to settle.

They sold their home in Ilkley to fund the adventure and having experienced storms, seasickness and idyllic sunsets Sue is confident the past eight months have been worth it.

"We have a general feeling of satisfaction and success on Tintin. We have neatly forgotten the first few days where the seasickness, the incessant rolling and the depression made us miserable.

"It has been a good experience. I am so glad I have done it! It was an adventure which exceeded our expectations and will never be forgotten."

She added:"Thank you, thank you, thank you to all our friends and family who supported us. I think it was the thought that they were all rooting for us that made all the difference."

The family will continue their expedition to Australia in the New Year.