Tycoon smashes crossing record

The Mari Cha IV rounds the Lizard at the end of its Atlantic dash

A British millionaire has sailed his yacht into the record books for a crossing of the Atlantic.

Robert Miller's Mari Cha IV became the first monohull to sail across the Atlantic in under seven days when he crossed the finish line off the Lizard in Cornwall at 1132 BST.

Mr Miller's time of six days 17 hours smashed the former west-east record of 8 days 20 hours, set in 2001 by Swiss Bernard Stamm.

Mr Miller - who owns the 110-hectare Gunnerside Estate in Yorkshire - began the 2,925 nautical-mile dash from the Ambrose Light Tower just off New York on 2 October.

He said: "It's a testament to both the awesome potential of Mari Cha IV and the quality of the crew sailing her.

"Once this achievement has sunk in, we will begin planning further record attempts, including a possible attempt to become the first monohull to sail around the world in under 80 days."

Rich List

The yacht is now in Falmouth, Cornwall where the former king and queen of Greece welcomed the crew with a party. The couple's son, Crown Prince Pavlos, is among the crew.

Mr Miller and his 23-strong crew became the first monohull ever to sail more than 500 nautical miles in one day on Monday.

The "quality" crew celebrate

The craft is potentially capable of speeds of over 40 knots, and has two 45 metre masts but weighs only 50 tonnes because of a lightweight carbon-fibre hull which contains only bunks and sleeping bags, no bathroom, and only one small galley.

The record was first set in 1905 when American sailor Charlie Barr sailed his yacht Atlantic from the US to the UK in 12 days, 4 hours and 1 minute.

The cost of the record challenge will be met by Mr Miller who was 22nd on the 2003 Sunday Times Rich List and is estimated to be worth £975m.

Mr Miller founded Hong Kong-based Duty Free Shoppers Group (DFS) in the 1960s.

He is also the founder of Search Group, an international investment company.

He has been based in Hong Kong for most of his life but has homes in London, New York, Paris, and Gstaad.