Adventurer on course for balloon record

Millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett headed over the Atlantic today after crossing South America in his Bud Light Spirit of Freedom balloon.

Fossett, in his sixth attempt to become the first solo balloonist to circle the globe nonstop, has flown more than 9,500 miles since taking off from Western Australia eight days ago.

‘‘This is the last place to land before the finish in Australia,’’ he said after crossing over the 483 miles wide extreme southern tip of South America.

Dismissing any possibility of ditching at this point, Fossett is barrelling ahead at over 80 mph into the wide expanses of the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans that separate him from his target, the southeastern shores of Australia nearly 10,000 miles away.

He hopes to complete the flight in 15 days. Fossett’s five earlier solo attempts ended with crash-landings in spots such as the Coral Sea and last year in Brazil.