| Legendary explorer successfully crosses from Canada to Europe in the smallest gas balloon ever used to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
Canadian Explorer Successfully Sets Transatlantic Balloon Flight Records
British Toshiba Transatlantic Challenge pilot, David Hempleman-Adams, has successfully crossed the Atlantic by balloon, breaking five world records. His helium gas balloon landed safely in the French countryside on Friday evening. The tranatlantic balloon flight is Hempleman-Adams' latest undertaking in what he calls the "Adventurers' Grand Slam." Before this he visited both the geographical and magnetic poles of the planet and climbed the highest peaks in each of the seven continents. Monday saw Hempleman-Adams leave Newfoundland in his balloon. The successful crossing netted him the record for distance travelled in that size of balloon, although he battled with sleep deprivation in the latter stages of the journey.
Before beginning the attempt, he commented, "I'm extremely nervous about this challenge. It is on the edge of technology and possibility. People have asked me, 'Why are you doing it?' and I say, 'I want to push myself as a pilot and push the equipment and technology to the extreme.'"
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