The historic Newport-Bermuda Race moved into a new era yesterday as Hasso Plattner's Morning Glory completed the 635-mile crossing in an unprecedented 48 hours.

The 86-feet MaxZ sliced more than five hours off the record time set by Roy Disney's Pyewacket in 2002 and condemned the new Pyewacket to second place in the new Demonstration Division.

Morning Glory crossed the finish line at St. David's yesterday at 3.38 p.m. to set a new benchmark for the 98-year-old race which allowed three next generation yachts to compete for the first time.

She outran Pyewacket and Windquest, the widest and narrowest vessel in the class, to claim the glory - and the multiple bottles of champagne being popped at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

And in crossing the line in an, as yet, unofficial 48 hours, 28 minutes and 31 seconds, Plattner's sled sliced exactly five hours, ten minutes and 51 seconds off the old mark.

“It was a champagne race,” said the charismatic Plattner, just seconds after stepping on to dry land after completing his third Newport-Bermuda Race - the first two were on the smaller Morning Glory that has now been renamed Carrera and was expected to finish some time overnight.

“Last time it was bumpy, it was rocky but this time there were no problems, nothing broke and she came through perfectly - it was real champagne stuff.

“There was a big raincloud over us when we came close to Bermuda, so we didn't see the Island until we were four miles out - it wasn't the most picturesque setting but it is great to be here.

“And it is great to finish in daylight. It was a great feeling crossing the line.”

Morning Glory and Pyewacket were neck and neck for the first six hours before losing each other in fog. Next time they saw each other Disney's $3 million yacht was slightly ahead while Windquest had disappeared to the west.

She made the most of extra time in a favourable Gulf Stream but was overtaken by Morning Glory as Plattner's crew benefited from 30-knot winds and were “sailing wild”.

Yesterday morning they discovered they were 35 miles ahead and even though the wind dropped 20 miles out to put an end to the chances of breaking the elusive 48-hour barrier, Plattner was still delighted.

“We did well for an illegal boat,” joked the owner, referring to the Demonstration Division status of the Maxz 86s which means the new mark is not officially a new race record.

“It was fabulous. We are grateful to the organisers for letting us join in the race - it was very gracious of them.”

When asked if he would compete again in the centenary race in 2006, and in what type of vessel, Plattner joked: “We will see what is illegal next time.”

And Morning Glory finished in perfect time as the wind all but disappeared almost immediately after her finish to leave the competitors lagging way behind.

Disney's Pyewacket was expected to finish just before midnight last night after radioing in to say she was still nine miles from home late in the evening.

At press time there was no sign of Windquest with the lack of breeze also likely to add significant time to the finishes of the remainder of the 158-strong fleet.

Conditions were relatively benign this year compared to the last race although three vessels did find themselves in difficulties.

Windwalker, a Hood 50 owned by Craig Cullen, broke her mast early yesterday morning and has had to drop out while Garbo, owned by Gerald Sears, and Vixen, with Bermudian P. Somers Copper aboard, both reported steering problems but only Garbo had dropped out at press time last night.

As of 8 a.m. yesterday morning, Rob Mulderig's Starr Trail was fifth in her class while Les Crane's Monterey was 48 miles further away from the Island, with 392 miles still to go.

In Class Three, Colin Couper's Babe - with Governor Sir John Vereker aboard - also had 392 miles to go.