Branson in briny as world record hopes sink
Sir Richard Branson was yesterday forced to abandon his attempt to set two world records by kite-boarding across the English Channel.
Strong winds and a choppy sea made it unsafe for him to proceed with the 24-mile crossing and he turned back after just an hour and 10 minutes on the waves. The Virgin entrepreneur had hoped to celebrate his 60th birthday by becoming the oldest person to cross the Channel by kite-board. He was also aiming to make the fastest crossing by a kite-board team.
Accompanied by his children, Holly, 29, and Sam, 26, and a number of others including Princess Beatrice's boyfriend, Dave Clarke, 28, he set off from Dungeness in Kent, above. A defiant Sir Richard vowed to try again today when conditions are expected to be better.