Balloonists Set World Record

The Breitling Orbiter catches an assist from the jet stream, crosses the finish line and heads for the Pyramids

By Mark Coatney Friday, Mar. 19, 1999
    • And now, to Egypt. High above Mauritania a little before 10 a.m. GMT Saturday, the Breitling Orbiter 3 crossed over the 9 degree west longitude line that meant it had become the first balloon to fly completely around the world. Now pilots Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones will try to keep the craft headed east until they reach Egypt for a dramatic landing at the pyramids Sunday morning.

    The flight crew has laid in cases of champagne for the landing celebration, but the crew may be too exhausted to care. As the balloon has come closer to its goal, a stressed Piccard reportedly has taken to having someone hypnotize him over the radio in order to sleep. But maybe he should stay awake a little longer, so he doesn't miss a single second of what remains of this historic flight.