A pair of businessmen have achieved a world first by retracing Columbus' journey across the Atlantic in under three months.

Ricky Reina and John Wilson made landfall in the Caribbean yesterday after completing an epic 3,800 nautical mile row from Spain to Antigua.

Known as the Atlantic Avengers, the duo finished the gruelling voyage Columbus originally made in 1493 in 89 days, a feat never achieved by two men.

An emotional reunion followed with their families, who had flown out to meet them and were waiting as they came ashore at Nelson's Dockyard.

The pair departed from Cadiz on November 27 and have been mostly rowing two hours on, two hours off, for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while battling the elements.

They already hold the record for the World's longest continual indoor row, and said the "obvious choice" was to tackle the Columbus Route next in aid of two youth charities, Clic Sargent and the Shepway Sports Trust.

Their support team told KentOnline that the first four weeks of the challenge was tough - with 50 ft waves, storms and northern currents pushing them off course.

During their journey, they have been followed by a family of dolphins, flying fish and a 10ft shark.

Mr Reina, 47, who owns the Reina Group and Mr Wilson, 57, a self-employed electrician, say that the highlights of the trip have been the "stunning sunsets and shooting stars".

Donations to their row can be made on the Atlantic Avengers’ website, www.atlanticavengers.com.