Recruitment consultants overcome the odds to cross the finish line of the toughest rowing race on earth

A two-man team of Bristol recruitment consultants has overcome a medial emergency, storms and failing equipment to successfully row across the Atlantic Ocean. The pair reached Antigua's English Harbour at 14:05 GMT on 5 February 2008, giving them a time of 63 days, 2 hours and 5 minutes to complete the 3,000-mile crossing.

The team, called Pan Atlantic, includes Niall McCann who works for IT industry specialist Sanderson Recruitment. His employer is the biggest sponsor of Pan Atlantic, having put 15,000 towards the purchase of the team's 24 by 6 foot boat, Komale. Niall's colleague is James Burge of Bristol-based Resource Direct, a sister company of Sanderson Recruitment.

James and Niall, both 26, set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on 4 December – two days after the other teams. The delay was caused by Niall requiring an emergency operation on his elbow following an infection. But despite the handicap Pan Atlantic still took sixth place out of the 15 pairs making the crossing.

Their mission has been to raise vital funds for Bristol Zoo Gardens' primate projects in Cameroon. This includes caring for baby gorillas and chimps orphaned by the illegal bushmeat trade.

Nick Walrond, managing director of Sanderson Recruitment and Resource Direct, commented, "I am very proud of what the pair achieved and to have played a part in their success as the main sponsor.

"What James and Niall have done fits closely with the values of Sanderson and Resource Direct, namely the importance of teamwork and a commitment to excellence. It has also benefited others, with sponsorship money going to support Bristol Zoo's international primate projects."

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