Palma.Sir Richard Branson is watching with interest' a project to save the Virgin Atlantic Challenger II, the power boat in which he set a new world record for the fastest Atlantic crossing which has been discovered in a Palma boatyard.
Branson wrote on Twitter: so many memories on @VirginAtlantic Challenger II, would be wonderful to see it back on the ocean.
The boat, which set the record in June 1986, was discovered in Palma by British businessman Dan Stevens.
Mission to save @VirginAtlantic Challenger II, great to see I'm not the only boating fanatic! best of luck team, said Branson on twitter.
Dan Stevens is due to fly out to Majorca with a crew to carry out a basic refit of the Challenger to make her seaworthy.
He then intends to skipper the boat almost 1'500 nautical miles back to Britain. Sir Richard told the Plymouth Herald: 'I am very pleased to hear about Dan Stevens' plans to restore Virgin Atlantic Challenger II. I have great memories of our adventure in the 1986 Blue Riband Transatlantic Challenge. We broke all records, completing the crossing in just three days, eight hours and 31 minutes and brought the Blue Riband back to Great Britain.
I will be watching his progress with interest.
Commissioned by Sir Richard Branson for the historic Blue Riband Transatlantic Challenge, the vessel took the record for the fastest crossing on June 29, 1986. It is believed the boat was sold by Virgin Media in the late 1980s to a sultan whose coat of arms still adorns the 72-ft long craft. Despite its fame, the boat has only chalked up 810 hours of travel time.
The beautiful power boat has certainly caused a sensation in Majorca since it was discovered earlier this month.
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