Another record for Fossett

American adventurer Steve Fossett and his New Zealand co-pilot smashed a 12-year-old gliding speed world record today.

Fossett and Delore flew round a 312 mile triangular course in New Zealand 2hrs 42mins to break the record by 12 minutes.

“We have broken the record by over 10 mph, with an average speed of 117 mph,” an excited Fossett said in the southern island village of Omarama.

“This is my first gliding record,” he said, adding that Delore has broken at least 14 world records during his career.

Chicago investment millionaire Fossett, 58, became the first person to fly a balloon solo around the globe when he landed on a remote plain in eastern Australia on July 4.

Fossett will return to New Zealand next month for an attempt on the world non-stop gliding distance record of 1,537 miles.