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Jan Kees Lampe takes line honours in the 2009 OSTAR

At 0510 GMT this morning, Dutchman Jan Kees Lampe and his Open 40 La Promesse reached Newport, Rhode Island to claim line honours in the 2009. Completing the 2805 mile course in a tome of just 17 days, 17 hours and 40 mins, he broke the previous 40ft record of 19 days, 11 hours and 19 minutes set by Simon Van Hagen in Seatalk in 1992 .

Lampe, 40, is a happily married father of three young children and an entrepreneur from Amsterdam. He is a passionate sailor and loves to be out at sea. He believes the Royal Western YC's OSTAR as an event has it all - a mostly heavy start, sailing through at least three depressions, and the challenge of thick fog and lighter winds during the last part of the race. He finished fourth overall in the classic Royal Western YC's two handed Round Britain & Ireland Race in 2006 and took line honours in the Azores and Back Race in 2007.

The remaining 24 competitors are still battling their way to the finish line with British Rob Craigie, skippering JBellino expected into Newport next. Following him is Italian Roberto Westerman skippering Spinning Wheel, while Geoff Alcorn from Northern Ireland aboard Wind of Lorne is bringing up the rear with 1,500 nautical miles still to sail.

Although Jankees Lampe will be crowned the overall winner other prizes will be awarded to competitors based on corrected time in each class. There will also be a prize for the overall IRC handicap winner on corrected time.

David Southwood, Race Director of OSTAR 2009, commented: “This has been a nail biting race with a number of twists. We expected the trimarans to do particularly well and it was a shame to lose them so early in the race. Congratulations go out to Jankees Lampe for being the first to reach Newport. We look forward eagerly to the arrival of the next brave competitors.”