Russian balloonist ‘breaks Fossett’s round-the-world record’
A Russian balloonist has set a new record for flying non-stop around the world, his support crew have said.
Fyodor Konyukhov’s balloon was said to have passed directly over the airfield in the Australian town of Northam where he began his journey 11 days ago.
There was concern the difficult task of landing the Roziere balloon might be problematic, but Mr Konyukhov was able to land the craft with an hour of daylight in hand.
The crew had been waiting for winds to drop and to find the ideal place for the adventurer to land.
Konyukhov’s route took him from Australia to above New Zealand, the Pacific Ocean, South America, the Cape of Good Hope and the Southern Ocean.
As he made his way back to Australia, his website reported his comments as a polar jet stream pushed him towards Antarctica.
His crew said the balloon, which is 56m (183ft) tall and uses helium and hot air, covered the route in 11 days and six hours, beating Fossett’s record by more than two days.
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