Round-the-world racer Nokia smashed the record for the Sydney-Hobart yacht race by more than half a day when she crossed the finish line first last night.

The joint Australian and Danish entry finished in an official time of one day 19 hours 48 minutes and two seconds for the gruelling 630-mile blue water classic.

The previous record of two days 14 hours seven minutes and 10 seconds was set by German maxi Wild Thing in 1996.

The 60-feet (18-metre) Nokia was pushed south by strong north-easterly winds for most of the race.

Nokia, which finished third in the 1997-98 Whitbread round the world race, crossed the finish line under spinnaker just before 9:00 a.m. (2200 GMT) after picking up a late wind shift.

She overtook Australian maxis Brindabella and Wild Thing on Monday as they surfed down Australia's east coast at breathtaking speeds.

Nokia averaged 15.40 knots for the first 590 miles after a sleigh-ride that has seen the boat smashing through white water day and night. Winds have been 35-40 knots, ideal for a boat designed to deal with Southern Ocean rigours.

Nokia, with Britain's Vincent Geake as navigator, took over the front-running nine hours after the start.

Her progress was slowed slightly when the wind died in the Derwent River leading to Hobart.

Brindabella, winner in 1997 and runner-up last year, and Wild Thing were further down the Derwent and expected to finish today.