Branson’s record attempt in jeopardy

Richard Branson's (pictured with his son, Sam) attempt to beat the transatlantic record in a single-hulled sailing boat is in jeopardy today after "massive seas and very strong gales" swept away a life craft and ripped the main sail. Speaking via satellite from his 99ft yacht, Virgin Money, he said the storms hammering the Atlantic "may have been too much for the boat and we may have pushed it too hard".

Branson, the billionaire founder of the Virgin Group, set sail from New York on Wednesday with his adult children, Holly, 26, and Sam, 23. Also on board is Ben Ainslie, the three times Olympic gold medalist, and the cream of Britain's America's Cup sailing team.

But not even he could help combat the ferocious weather encountered on the crossing. Said Branson: "We were doing very good until recently when we had a massive wave hit us from behind. It literally took one of our life craft with it. The storm has also taken out the spinnaker and ripped the main sail so we'll have to decide whether it can be mended and whether we've still got a chance of making the record."

Branson and co are attempting to complete the journey in less than six days, 17 hrs, 52 mins and 39 secs. Branson previously set the record for crossing the Atlantic in the fastest recorded time in a powerboat in 1986 and flew across the same ocean in the largest hot-air balloon the following year. However, the omens do not look good for a third record.