Balloonist bids goodbye to Australia

American adventurer Steve Fossett has finished drifting over Australia, setting out for the sea in his sixth bid to become the first solo balloonist to circle the globe.

Fossett, who launched from western Australia on Wednesday, could reach Chile’s coast within five days, hopefully by threading through two intersecting weather systems over the ocean, according to his mission control centre at Washington University.

By 10pm (Irish time) yesterday, Fossett was between Australia and New Zealand, witnessing his first sunrise over the Pacific on the venture.

Fossett’s backers at Washington University - his alma mater - have said the investment tycoon from Chicago could complete the mission in 15 total days.

He holds world records in ballooning, sailing and flying planes. He also swam the English Channel in 1985, was placed 47th in the Iditarod dogsled race in 1992 and participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans car race in 1996.

In five earlier solo attempts, Fossett has plummeted into the Coral Sea and, last summer, was forced to ditch the balloon on a Brazilian cattle ranch after 12 days in flight, making it the longest solo balloon flight.