smashing the record for fastest Newport to Bermuda crossing.

The time for CCP Crae Valley was officially set at 53 hours, 46 minutes and ten seconds and came just four days after another attempt, by the multi-hulled Greenwich Propane , missed by just ten minutes.

"We're exhausted, but delighted. It was a really tough voyage, but it was great and we are delighted to be in Bermuda,'' said Mouligne.

His 50-foot custom-built sloop broke the record of 57 hours, 31 minutes and 50 seconds, set by the 80-foot maxi-yacht Boomerang in June during the annual Newport to Bermuda race.

Mouligne left Newport on Friday morning at 7.30 a.m. EST and arrived at St.

George's Sport and Dinghy Club at 2.35 p.m. Bermuda time yesterday afternoon.

"I want to race the boat in the around the world race, so this was a trial for us to see how the boat went,'' added the Newport, Rhode Island, resident.

"We set out to break the record, but it was also a first attempt to show the potential of the boat and we had a fast run.

"If the Boomerang had had the same weather conditions as us, she could have done the voyage a lot faster. We are proud to have the fastest time so far, but it will be beaten at some stage.'' Mouligne was quick not to take all the credit for the record-breaking voyage and said praise had to go to his four-man crew, the boat's designer and the man who helped with the weather forecasts.

"The crew was excellent and we had a really good time. The success was a combination of a lot of people who have worked on the boat, who helped with the weather and the boat's designer.

"I am the one getting the credit, but everyone deserves credit for what we accomplished.''