Branson to attempt sailing record

1:32am Friday 5th September 2008

British billionaire Sir Richard Branson is back in the business of chasing speed records on the high seas - this time with his family.

The chairman of the Virgin Group announced that he is preparing to break the record for a trans-Atlantic crossing in a single-hulled sailboat, which currently stands at six days, 17 hours, 52 minutes and 39 seconds.

He called the record "the greatest sailing record of all" and said that when he got a call a few weeks ago to participate in the adventure, "I realised I couldn't resist".

Sir Richard said he is preparing with champion sailors from Britain's America's Cup challenger, including several medal-winning Olympians.

The crew will sail the 99ft yacht Virgin Money from just outside New York harbour to the most south-westerly point in Britain.

They plan to set sail sometime in the next few weeks when the weather is right. They are watching to see whether a hurricane comes far enough north to help power their sails.

The airline and music entrepreneur made news in 1986 when he powered a speedboat across the Atlantic Ocean in record time, breaking a mark that had stood for 34 years.

He went on to set records while piloting hot air balloons across the Atlantic and Pacific, and tried for years to become one of the first balloonists to circumnavigate the globe.

The daredevil tycoon has also jumped out of planes and climbed astride elephants to promote his Virgin Atlantic Airways.

On this trip, he will be accompanied by his 26-year-old daughter, Holly, a physician who will serve as the team's medic, and 23-year-old son, Sam.