TEENAGE sailor Thomas Elmer has his feet firmly on dry land after two months at sea in the Times Round the World Yacht Race.

He was a member of the crew on the Liverpool Clipper on the last leg of the race from Salvador, Brazil, to Portsmouth via New York and Jersey -- and the youngest person to take part in the race on any of the six 60ft boats.

They arrived third to Jersey, second to Portsmouth and overall helped the team to come in fourth.

Thomas, 18, of Spring Gardens, Cowpe said: "It was brilliant. It was the experience of a lifetime and I would like to do more sailing now. "

When the clipper docked in New York he was greeted by his sister Rosie, 15, and his uncle, who brought with them his A-level results.

The Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School student achieved three C grades and and an E, which should enable him to pursue his chosen career in the police force.

He said: "It was every bit as good as I thought it would be, if not better. Seeing the dolphins and whales swimming alongside was amazing.

"One of the worst times was coming out of New York just off Newfoundland and for six to seven days there was no wind . We were just going nowhere drifting along on the current. It was boring and cold.

He was one of a 15-man crew on the ship. They all got on well, he said.

Thomas' parents Ann and David and his sister were on the quay when the clipper sailed into Portsmouth.

He said: "There was a big cheer but I couldn't hear it, all I could see was a sea of people."

Thomas, who is 6ft 1in tall and weighs 20 stone, plays prop forward for Lancashire and Rossendale rugby union teams.

He has been invited back to crew the ship from Portsmouth to Liverpool and then on to Portugal next month.

Thomas had to raise £8,000 for his part of the race, but he would one day like to make the whole voyage -- if he can raise £23,000.