ONE of the toughest challenges in the British offshore racing calendar - the Fastnet Race - failed to defeat its only all-girl crew.

Far from it, for Lorna Graham, from Lymington, and Jo Burchell, from Blandford, distinguished themselves as best overall entry in the two-handed division of last week's 608-mile race.

And not for the first time, for they were defending the double-handed title they won in the 1999 race - and beating their own record of four days, 20 hour and 34 minutes by some 13 hours.

Their reward was the Brunskill Trophy for leading double-hander, in their Humphreys One Design 35, Criterion - a yacht they also took to third overall in the IRC Class Two division.

The two girls have built up a considerable racing pedigree, both as individuals and as a team. Their ultimate aim is to complete a round the world double handed challenge

Graham has sailed over 30,000 miles offshore and was granted Royal Ocean Racing Club membership at the age of 19. Burchell, a member of the Royal Lymington YC, has served in the British women's match racing team, ranked No 1 in the world.

Of their latest triumph Graham said: "The Fastnet is a very tough race. It's really a series of long sprints. We are delighted to win and keep hold of the two-handed trophy. We pushed the boat hard and ourselves to the limit every step of the way and it paid off."

Another Fastnet victory was claimed by Lymington sailor Jez Fanstone, as skipper of the winning boat, News Corp, in the Volvo Ocean 60 class. He remained cool under pressure during a nail-biting final 12 hours to beat rival Illbruck by 21 minutes.