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Virgin Money, complete with Branson family, Ben Ainslie and Mike Sanderson, may set off on record attempt tomorrow

Sir Richard Branson and triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie are on standby in New York to begin a transatlantic record attempt aboard the 100ft supermaxi yacht Virgin Money (formerly Speedboat). With a potential weather window approaching, the crew hopes to set sail early tomorrow morning with TeamOrigin’s Team Director Mike Sanderson as skipper. Sanderson, who skippered Mari Cha IV holder of the current transatlantic record of 6 days, 17 hours and 52 minutes, will lead the crew, which includes Sir Richard Branson’s children Holly and Sam.

With a potential start from North Cove Marina, New York, tomorrow at dawn, Virgin Money’s record attempt will be Ben Ainslie’s first transatlantic voyage. The course will take them through treacherous winter conditions in the North Atlantic before finishing at Lizard Point, off the coast of Plymouth.

Further details will follow once it has been confirmed that Virgin Money will begin her attempt tomorrow.