Balloonist claims new record for solo flight
CANBERRA, Australia — A cold and exhausted 65-year-old Russian balloonist came back to Earth with a bruising thud in the Australian Outback on Saturday after claiming a new record by flying solo around the world nonstop in 11 days, officials said.
Fedor Konyukhov landed 100 miles east of Northam, where he started his journey on July 12, about three hours after he flew over the same town on his return, flight coordinator John Wallington said.
“He’s landed, he’s safe, he’s sound, he’s happy,” Wallington said from the landing site. “It’s just amazing.”
Konyukhov’s gondola — a carbon box 6 feet, 7 inches high, and 5 feet, 11 inches wide — bounced twice over 200 yards in an empty field and tipped on its side before the support crew grabbed it to prevent the deflating balloon from dragging it farther, crew member Steve Griffin said.
“He’s got a bruise on his cheek, but he’s pretty well unscathed,” Griffin said.
Konyukhov flew by helicopter back to Northam, where his first shower in 11 days was a priority, Griffin said.
American businessman Steve Fossett also started from Northam to set a record of 13 days, 8 hours for his 20,500-mile journey in 2002.
Konyukhov, a Russian Orthodox priest, took a longer route and roughly 11 days, 6 hours to complete the circumnavigation.
His journey of more than 21,100 miles took him through a thunderstorm in the Antarctic Circle, where temperatures outside the gondola fell to minus-58 degrees Fahrenheit.
The journey also took him to speeds up to 150 mph and heights up to 34,823 feet.
The Swiss-based World Air Sports Federation did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of the new record.