Peter Bolton <<pbolt>>
writes:

Russian balloonist and adventurer Fedor Konyukhov is making an
attempt to repeat & possibly break Steve Fossett’s world record for
circumnavigation of the globe by balloon. There is a tracker – (updated every 10
minutes) on his website
http://konyukhov.ru/en/index.html

He launched from Northam in SW WA on Tuesday (12th) morning – the same place as
Steve Fossett launched from. As of Wednesday evening (CST), he was over the
South Australian desert at about 6750m (~ 22,000ft) asl, travelling at about
47km/h in -18C. He’s only been averaging about this speed thus far – which is
nowhere near fast enough to beat Fossett’s record (of ~ 13 days 8hrs).

It looks like he should have a chance to get into a fast-moving jet stream on
Thursday. (I think this is essential to have any chance at the record). See
http://www.micklehamweather.com/wxjetstream.php