AN ARMY officer from Swin-don is taking on the might of the German Army in a 3,600-mile dash across the Atlantic.

Major Simon Davies will join 13 other men from the British Army in the Daimler-Chrysler North Atlantic Challenge, a yacht race from Rhode Island in the United States to Hamburg.

The crew will be competing against 62 teams from 12 countries.

They have been set a separate challenge by the German Army to see who can cross the finishing line first.

Major Davies, a father of three, has been in the Army for 19 years and served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Cyprus.

Major Davies said: "We have a team of great sailors, but most importantly we are team players, which is vital to success in a sport like sailing.

"Our combined problem solving experience, physical and mental agility and stamina will no doubt give us an edge over the other competitors.

"Since entering the race we have been quietly confident of finishing in good time but we are even more determined succeed now the German Army have thrown down this extra challenge.

"Racing across the Atlantic will be a once in a lifetime experience and we are all very keen to get started and bring the trophy home."