Free Republic

Amid torrential rain and under dark skies, American adventurer Steve Fossett and his crew have set sail from Plymouth in their bid to smash the round-the-world sailing record. The billionaire American skipper and his 11-strong crew have been in Plymouth Yacht Haven since December preparing equipment for their attempt to beat the Jules Verne record in the 125ft monster catamaran Cheyenne. Since planning started, two crew members have dropped out and another two have joined, due to the long delays inevitable in such endeavours, as crews must wait until weather conditions are just right. But according to navigators on the...

Tycoon Rests Before Balloon Launch By ROB GRIFFITH Associated Press Writer June 18, 2002, 10:06 AM EDT NORTHAM, Australia -- American adventurer Steve Fossett took a nap Tuesday afternoon -- probably the last decent shuteye he would get for more than two weeks as he attempts to circle the globe in a balloon. Fossett was planning to take off around dawn Wednesday (4 p.m. EDT Tuesday) in his sixth attempt to fly solo around the world in a balloon. Weather permitting, he hoped to begin inflating his hot air- and helium-filled balloon, the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom, in...