Stormy weather is hampering the efforts of a team of explorers attempting to make the world's first carbon neutral crossing of Greenland's ice caps.

Bristol physiotherapist Richard Spink spoke to the Post by satellite phone from the North Atlantic yesterday, where a force nine wind and huge waves were battering their 40ft island packet boat Fleur.

He will be trekking across the Greenland glacier with Raoul Surcouf, 40, when they reach Nuuk.

Bristolian Ben Stoddart, who is skippering the boat now anticipates they will reach the port in about nine days.

Mr Spink, 31, said: "It is like being on a roller- coaster and you can't get off. We had hoped to be doing press-ups every day but that has gone by the wayside because we have not stood upright for a while."

But the pair have been unable to eat much, and think they may have lost too much weight before they reach the ice cap.

He said: "We are not sure what will happen when we reach the ice now and it could take a few days to get used to it.But we are looking forward to getting to the glacier."