Fossett to try again in quest to balloon around-the-world

ST. LOUIS -- For millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett, if at first you don't succeed, try, try, try, try and try again.

Fossett announced Monday he will make a sixth attempt next month to circumnavigate the globe in a hot-air balloon. If he makes it, he'll be the first person to do so flying solo.

Swiss pilot Bertrand Piccard and English co-pilot Brian Jones did it as a team in 1999.

This time, Fossett's balloon will have a corporate sponsor. Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. announced Monday it will sponsor the flight in the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom balloon.

The balloon will take off in about a month, depending on weather conditions, from Northam, Australia, about 60 miles east of Perth.

Fossett's most recent attempt was last year, also from Northam. Bad weather forced him to land in Bage, Brazil.

'Greatest challenge'

Still, at 12 1/2 days, it was the longest solo balloon flight on record.

"The first solo round-the-world balloon flight is my greatest challenge," Fossett said.

As in the previous five tries, Washington University in St. Louis will serve as "Mission Control," monitoring the flight with a crew including a project manager, meteorologists and other experts keeping abreast of wind currents and weather in Fossett's path.

Fossett, 58, of Chicago, is a Washington University graduate, owner of an investment company and noted adventurist. He holds world records connected to balloons, sailboats and airplanes.

He placed fourth in the Iditarod dogsled race in 1992, swam the English Channel in 1985, participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans car race in 1996.

As a balloonist, he made the first crossing of Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, the South Atlantic, South Pacific and Indian oceans, and made the first solo flight across the Pacific Ocean.

Some close calls

Fossett has had some close calls.

In January 1998, during his third attempt, he was forced to change course to avoid Libya, which refused flyover permission. The change doomed the quest.

In August 1998, a thunderstorm tore open his balloon, sending it 29,000 feet down into the Coral Sea, 500 miles east of Australia.

For a few tense moments, his Mission Control crew in St. Louis feared he was dead. But Fossett suffered relatively minor injuries, and was rescued at sea.