<p><br /> Sir Richard Branson is ready to make a second attempt to set two world records by kite-boarding across the English Channel.<br /> </p><p><br /> Strong winds and a choppy sea made it unsafe for him to proceed with the 24-mile crossing on Tuesday and he turned back after just an hour and 10 minutes on the waves.<br /> </p><p><br /> The Virgin entrepreneur hopes to celebrate his 60th birthday by becoming the oldest person to cross the Channel by kite-board.<br /> </p><p><br /> He also aims to make the fastest crossing by a kite-board team.<br /> </p><p><br /> 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 on Tuesday morning, hoping to reach the French coast.<br /> </p><p><br /> Princess Beatrice was among the crowd of spectators standing on the shore to see them off.<br /> </p><p><br /> But winds measuring up to six on the Beaufort scale prevented the safety boats from accompanying them on the crossing and Sir Richard reluctantly decided they should turn back.<br /> </p><p><br /> They travelled just five miles from the shore. He said afterwards: "I don't think I've ever done an adventure where I've succeeded the first time. I'm looking forward to getting the job done tomorrow."<br /> </p>
