Transatlantic record bid starts

The yacht's crew will work in four-hour shifts during the record attempt

Sir Richard Branson and Cornish Olympic gold-medal sailor Ben Ainslie have begun an attempt to set a new record for sailing across the Atlantic.

They left New York in a 99ft (30m) racing yacht on Wednesday, in a bid to reach the finish line at Cornwall's Lizard Point in just six days.

Mr Branson's children Holly, 26, and Sam, 23, are also on the crew.

The current transatlantic sailing record of 6 days 17 hours, 39 minutes and 52 seconds was set in 2003.

I have seen the weather forecast and it looks like it will be a pretty wild ride Ben Ainslie, sailor

The challenge started four hours earlier than planned in an attempt to avoid "ferocious" storms which were forecast.

Sir Richard said: "We need to navigate these two storm systems perfectly to have any chance of succeeding. It's going to be a very challenging six days."

Mike Sanderson, skipper, said: "Given the right conditions we are confident we could beat the current record we set on Mari Cha IV in 2003 and have a great time with Sir Richard and his family."

The yacht, Virgin Money, can reach speeds of up to 45 knots and contains a crew of 25.

The yacht has a crew of 25 people

Four times Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie, the boat's helmsman, said: "We have a fantastic boat and a world-class team of America's Cup sailors onboard.

Crew members will work in four-hour shifts during the record attempt

"This will be my first Atlantic crossing. I have seen the weather forecast and it looks like it will be a pretty wild ride but I am confident we are up to the challenge."

This is Sir Richard's first record attempt in 10 years and he is dedicating it to his late friend, the adventurer Steve Fossett, who died when his plane crashed into a mountain in Nevada last year.

He said: "We will take the baton on and this will be a wonderful trip to do in his memory."