British billionaire Branson aims for trans-Atlantic sailing record

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Source: CCTV.com | 09-05-2008 09:40

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

Virgin Group CEO Sir Richard Branson mans the helm aboard  the yacht 'Virgin Money' as it goes out for a trial sail  in New York, before attempting to break the trans-Atlantic  single-hulled sailing record, Thursday Sept. 4, 2008.  He plans to set sail sometime in the next few weeks when  the weather is right.(AP Photo/Ed Ou)

 The chairman of the Virgin Group announced on Thursday that he will attempt to break the record for a trans-Atlantic crossing in a single-hulled sailboat.

The airline and music entrepreneur 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.

The crew will sail the 99-foot yacht from New York Harbor to the most southwesterly point in Britain. The current record is six days, 17 hours, 52 minutes and 39 seconds. The crew plans to set sail sometime in the next few weeks when the weather is right.

Editor:Du Xiaodan