Branson tries again for ocean record
THE record and airline tycoon, Mr Richard Branson, and his five-man crew, set sail from New York yesterday confident that they will finally break the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing.
In a telephone link-up to the Press Association from his 72ft power boat, Virgin Atlantic Challenger II, Mr Branson said: “We have a great crew and a good chance.”
Advertisement
In May 1985 Mr Branson’s first try at the record ended in failure when the original Virgin Atlantic Challenger sank 138 miles short of taking the Blue Riband for the fastest crossing.Now, with a new £1.5 million boat and an experienced crew — again including the top yachtsman, Chay Blyth — Mr Branson is back with a strong challenge.
The record for the fastest crossing is held by the liner, United States, which completed the sailing in 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes in 1952.
Mr Branson and his crew hope to reach Bishop’s Rock, 2,949 miles from New York by the Isles of Scilly, on Sunday.
Atlantic Challenger II, built by the British firm, Brooke Yachts, has a top speed of about 65 knots and is expected to average about 45 knots.
On the first attempt, Mr Branson and his crew had to combat exhaustion, depression and hallucinations.