The trip was harrowing. However Bermuda was nothing short of paradise says Richard Branson's daughter Holly of her family's recent trip here.

The British billionaire's daughter gave a detailed account to the UK's Mirror newspaper of the transatlantic sailing trip which was aborted after a 40-foot wave hit Virgin Money, the yacht which they were travelling on.

In the article by Dennis Ellam, the 26-year-old explains how she and her brother Sam joined their dad in his effort to sail 3,000 miles from New York to Cornwall in a record-breaking six days last month.

The doctor was the only female in a crew of 24 determined to beat the previous record of six days, 17 hours, 52 minutes and 39 seconds. However the massive wave which hit the yacht, destroying the sail and smashing one of three lifeboats, forced them to call it quits.

Fifty hours into the voyage, the crew decided it was time to give up after desperately trying to repair the mainsail which was damaged by the storm. They made the decision to sail to Bermuda which was the nearest land.

"I had mixed emotions," she said. "Weariness and disappointment because our world record attempt was in tatters. But also relief that we wouldn't have to go through another three days being battered by a very angry ocean.

"The approach to Bermuda was like arriving in paradise."

She continued: "The waters were beautiful and still and we saw these amazing lights from the top of a hill, all swaying in the darkness. It was mum and all the local people waving their cell phones to welcome us back.

"It was the most wonderful sight I've ever seen!"

Despite the failed attempt, she says the crew will "give it another go in the spring".