News

Dream Maker, the mixed pair crew of Mick Birchall and Lia Ditton crossed the finish line at 12.59 UTC, claiming a race time of 72 days, 23 hours and 29 minutes.

They have also claimed to be the first crew to finish with a state-of-the-art, marine ‘Fusion' stereo with two sets of 12″ waterproof speakers. Having sacrificed the use of this in favour of using the auto-pilot for much of the race they crossed the line listening to Elgar's ‘Nimrod' - from the Planet Series, played by Chris Davis.

Throughout the race both Mick and Lia had to not only cope with all the surprises the ocean could throw at them, but also share them and overcome them with a stranger, as Lia was only brought into the Dream Maker team during last minute changes in La Gomera.

Mick and Lia had documented several arguments and disagreements during their time at sea but in the end pulled through together and completed the race with heads held higher than high. The two of them have overcome adversity and potential disaster and with it created a bond that is shared by so few.

Congratulations to Dream Maker and her crew, Mick Birchall and Lia Ditton.