American-based boats competing reached the finishing point off St. David's.

One, the tri-hull Aiki skippered by Teddy Turner jnr, son of the US media mogul, was damaged after being hit by a whale, but all the boats arrived safely at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

Results of the race were not available last night, as times still had to be calculated.

David Browder, who skippered Wahoo , said the conditions since leaving Charleston, North Carolina, on Saturday had been perfect at times.

"Tuesday was the best sailing I have ever had. Some of the crews stayed up 24 hours, because they just did not want to go to sleep,'' said Browder.

"We had three 200-mile days, but Wednesday was frustrating because the winds were so light and we slowed right down.'' Browder, from Charleston, was one of the race organisers, as he was for the inaugural event in 1997 when five boats took part.

"We missed a whale by five feet, but one hit Teddy Turner's boat and sheered off the centreboard,'' he added.

The main aim was to raise money for charity and Browder said corporate sponsorhips and crew donations had netted $80,000 for the Leukaemia Society of America.

The winning skipper will receive a crystal and cedar trophy from Bermuda Tourism Minister David Allen at the RBYC tomorrow evening.