Tue, Dec 07, 2004
Dawn To Dusk Record Flight Of 1,358 Miles Set Saturday
Launching into the morning twilight and landing just after
sunset, pilots Terry Delore (NZL) and Steve Fossett (USA) broke one
of the most important records in the sport of gliding this past
weekend, flying their ASH 25M high performance sailplane between
the Argentine cities El Calafate in Patagonia and San Juan - a new
Free Distance (straight-line) world record of 2,187 kilometers
(1,358 miles). The flight took 15 hours 42 minutes and covered
almost 2/3 the length of Argentina.
Or in other words, approximately the same distance as that
between Moscow and Milan - or between New York City and Dallas,
Texas.
There are 21 major world records in gliding as recognized by the
FAI (Federation Aeonautique Internationale - the world governing
body for air sports whose confirmation is still required for this
weekend's new record). Since Delore and Fossett teamed up in 2002
the pair have broken 11 of these 'open class' records. The previous
mark for glider free distance was 2,174 kms, set by German glider
legend Klaus Ohlmann in 2003.
"This is one of my gliding ambitions fulfilled -- and I know it
has been one of Terry's goals for over 10 years as well," said
Fossett. "The conditions are fantastic and it is just great to be
flying along the Andes, going for records. Many of the top
international pilots, including Klaus Ohlmann, are here for the
Argentine spring season, and it is a privilege to be competing with
them."
Delore and Fossett took off on a very cold Saturday
morning -- El Calafate is at the gateway to the glacier
national park -- and as they flew along hour after hour one concern
was that their feet would freeze. But as they headed north
conditions warmed, and when they landed at San Juan shortly after
sunset it was hot and muggy.
Steve Fossett now holds world records in 5 sports - balloons,
airships, sailboats, gliders, and jet airplanes.
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