Fossett Adds Another Record

Ely, Nev. – July 17, 2007 – Billionaire adventurer Steve Fossett added another world record to his resume last week — a speed record for gliding over a 1250-km, or 777 mile, triangular course in 8 hours and 23 minutes. Fossett and New Zealand soaring expert Terry Delore averaged 149.23 kmh (92.7 mph) over the course from Ely, Nev., on July 12, and once certified by the Federation Aéronautique Internationale, will have broken one of the oldest world gliding records in the book. Although Fossett and Delore have set 11 of the 19 unlimited glider speed and distance records together, the 1250-km Triangle was a special target. It was particularly difficult to break because of the requirement to fly their unpowered glider at high speed over such a long distance. "We have been challenged by this record,” Fossett said. “We have sought the right conditions for four years in Argentina, Australia, South Africa, and USA, and it has taken us 27 attempts to finally get it exactly right.” "This was not a ripper Nevada day but we were able to maintain a good and steady pace, even in the absence of clouds for a good chunk of the flight," Delore told The Press of Christchurch, New Zealand. "After 27 attempts and 18,000km of desert flying, the longest-standing world speed record is ours, subject to ratification. We are rapt." Fossett and Delore celebrated the finish by making low passes over the Ely, Nevada airport while releasing the water ballast from the 87 foot wings of their ASH 25 glider. Delore said he did more flying on the record flight while Fossett concentrated on navigation and looking for favorable conditions. The old record of 143.46 kmh (89.2 mph) was held by German Hans Werner Grosse since 1987. Fossett will be inducted into the USA's National Aviation Hall of Fame on July 21, recognizing his world record achievements in gliders, balloons, airplanes and airships. Then he’ll head to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2007 for the annual fly-in and convention held at Wittman Regional Airport from July 23-29.

Adventurer Steve Fossett and soaring expert Terry Delore prepare for dawn departure from Bariloche, Argentina on Dec. 13. The pair made 27 attempts to break the speed record for gliding over a triangular course before a successful run on July 12 in Ely, Nevada. (c) 2003 Powers Unlimited. Terry Delore and the instrument panel in the glider he and Steve Fossett used to break a 20-year old gliding record. Photo by Christchurch’s The Press.

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