Russian balloonist Fedor Konyukhov has launched a world record attempt from a West Australian Wheatbelt town this morning after being held up by poor weather.
The late American adventurer Steve Fossett was the first person to fly a helium/hot air balloon around the world non-stop in 2002, covering more than 30,000km in 13 days.
Fedor Konyukhov, 64, hopes to break that mark after setting off from the same WA town, Northam.
The SBS Russian program was on site for the launch.
The launch was scheduled for July 2 but adverse weather thwarted that plan.Mr Konyukhov accomplished his first expedition at the age of 15, rowing across the Sea of Azov off the southern shores of Russia and Ukraine.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
His formidable list of achievements includes authoring 17 books and reaching five extreme poles, including Mount Everest and the pole of inaccessibility in the Arctic Ocean.
