Chapters 17-19, 1987-1990 Summary and Analysis

Section 9 covers Chapters 17-19, describing events from 1987 to 1990. Richard flies across the Atlantic in a balloon and is rescued from the Irish Sea. Richard buys back Virgin stock to go private. Investors in Japan fit his investment policy and horizon for joint ventures. Richard aborts a balloon trip from Japan to marry Joan on Necker Island.

Chapter 17 1987-1988 describes an inadvertent departure caused by tangled cable pulling off two propane tanks at the morning launch. The lighter balloon rapidly gains height over a Maine forest up into the jet stream to soar one hundred miles an hour at 27,000 feet. The first night they hit a storm, and by 2:30 the next afternoon, they cross the coast of Ireland after twenty-nine hours. Landing is problematic with excess fuel, tangled lines and bolts that won't release. They are dragged over...