Russian balloonist lands safely in Australia after 11 days
Posted July 23, 2016 7:00 am
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - An official says a Russian balloonist has landed safely in the Australian Outback after claiming a new world record for flying solo around the world nonstop in 11 days.
Flight coordinator John Wallington says Fedor Konyukhov landed on Saturday 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of the town of the Northam, where he started his journey on July 12 and about three hours after he flew over it on his return.
In this Monday, July 11, 2016 photo released Wednesday, July 20, 2016 by Morton, Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov stands by his helium and hot-air balloon being inflated before liftoff on his record attempt to fly solo in a balloon around the world nonstop in Northam in Western Australia state. Konyukhov, 65, now flying at more than 6,000 meters (20 feet) above the ground, was battling sleep deprivation, freezing temperatures and ice in his oxygen mask as he nears the end of his record attempt to fly solo around the world nonstop, his son said on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (Oscar Konyukhov/Morton via AP)
The Associated Press
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