The father-son team of Mike and Ryan Finn proved to be a winning combination in this year's Charleston to Bermuda race.

Under the cover of darkness, the Finns safely guided their J-160 entry, Kativa, across the finish line first off St.David's Head in a corrected time of 135 hours, 55 minutes and five seconds at 3.55.05 early yesterday morning - over 62 hours outside the official race record.

However, judging by the smiles on their faces at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club yesterday, the residents of Slisdale, Louisiana, appeared content just be back on solid ground.

Skipper Mike Finn had just completed a gruelling 777-mile journey that began from Charleston Harbour, South Carolina last Saturday, a voyage that saw the veteran sailor at the helm and his son navigating through 12-foot seas and battering head winds in excess of 20 knots.

And if that wasn't enough to frighten even the most seasoned seamen, then having over 8,000 pounds of water gush into the forward sail hold must have caused the heart to skip a beat or two. But then again, even if that would have occurred, the senior Finn, a cardiologist, was again adequately prepared.

Not even losing radio contact with race officials on the first day seemed to ruffle the skipper who celebrated his maiden Charleston to Bermuda crossing in style.

"It was pretty rough. It was an upwind race and my son Ryan navigated and did a great job," commented Finn senior.

"You learn to manipulate in all sorts of weird positions. I'm real proud of the crew, everyone worked real hard."

According to Finn, his J-160 lost radio contact with race officials barely some 25 miles into the race.

"We had a VHF and a single side band that I thought was functional but it wasn't tuning. So we had no radio contact for the entire race," he explained.

At last report on Thursday, Teddy Turner's boat, Troika, and Rex Conn's Alacrity were in the lead.

However, Finn surprised many by crossing the finish line first to also capture overall A Class honours.

"We have a good upwind boat and this crew have done a lot of ocean racing in it. But it was our conditions," he added.

For now, the Finns will take in some much needed rest and relaxation before setting off on the return journey to Charleston. The skipper is hoping for better conditions as he has to reach his destination in time for his daughter's graduation next Saturday.

"We are going to sail back. Hopefully the wind will be off the beam and everything will be ok," added Finn, who has also competed in the Jamaica Cup series on several occasions.

Meanwhile, Conn's Alacrity was reported to be the second boat to cross the finish and Turner's Troika third. However, no official times had been posted at press time.