A SWINDON IT manager was today recovering after successfully completing a yacht race covering 1,300 nautical miles.

Lesley Stewart, who returned to work at Endeva in West Swin-don yesterday, swapped her computer screen for the high seas for a fortnight to take part in the Round Britain Challenge 2003, in which her team came fifth.

Lesley, who lives in Castle Eaton, near Cricklade, said: "I am pretty exhausted after the race and then the parties. It feels good to be back at work."

Endeva, a domestic appliance service company, sponsored Lesley to take part in the race which cost £3,500 for a place on one of the eight identical yachts involved.

The 72-ft Global Challenge race yachts all belong to round-the-world yachtsman Sir Chay Blyth, who organises the event.

Sailed by a crew of 16 volunteers, along with a professional skipper and first mate, the yachts left the marina in Southampton on April 19. The record time for completing the course stands at 10 days and 18 hours.

Lesley, who has been sailing for seven years, said: "We finished in 13 days and 17 hours, which was a bit disappointing. But there was bad weather, which slowed us."

The fleet sailed around Britain and Ireland in a clockwise direction. Once in the Channel, they raced along the English coastline, before crossing the Irish Sea towards Fastnet Rock.

Next, braving the full force of the Atlantic Ocean, her crew faced force 10 gales, as they navigated around the Shetland Islands.

"It was quite tricky and not for the faint hearted," she said.

Despite being tired after arriving back on dry land on Thurs-day, Lesley is already preparing for her next nautical challenge.

"I am doing the Fastnet from Cowes to Fastnet Rock in Ireland. I cannot wait and love the thrill of racing," she said.