Steve Fossett Challenges banner.

| back to PRESS Archives |

STEVE'S SPEEDY 2002 CONTINUES...

DELORE AND FOSSETT CAPTURE 1000 KILOMETER GLIDING WORLD SPEED RECORD

Thursday, December 12, Omarama, New Zealand - Pilots Terry Delore (NZ) and Steve Fossett (USA) today set a new Gliding World Speed Record for 1000 kilometres out and return. Despite difficult wind and cloud conditions, the duo flew the 1000 kilometre course at an average speed of 166.46 km/h, breaking the previous record of 152.74 km/h set by Walter Binder (GER) in South Africa in 1999.

Flying a Schleicher ASH-25 (25 meter wingspan) high-performance sailplane, this was Delore and Fossett's third attempt at this record over recent weeks - with one of those attempts coming up short just the previous day.

"This only made us more determined to succeed", Fossett explained late Thursday evening.

"We're wrapping up our glider season this weekend, so today was a big day. It is great to get another of these important speed records in gliding".

On November 15th the team of Fossett and Delore smashed the 500 kilometer triangle record in 2 hours and 44 minutes - setting a new World Record speed of 185.63 km/h (115 mph).

(Records pending confirmation by the FAI -Fédération Aéronautique Internationale)

2002 has been a extraordinarily special - and rapid - year for Fossett. The American adventurer has set new World Records for speed in 3 sports - gliding, sailing and ballooning (set, of course, during his renowned 'First Solo Round the World Balloon Flight' in June-July).

Steve's next flying plans are an attempt on the Glider World Altitude Record of 49,009 ft - soaring into the Stratosphere - in California in February or March 2003.

----------------------------------------------

In addition to gliding, Steve's forthcoming projects include the Christopher Columbus Route E-W TransAtlantic sailing record on board his 125' (38m) maxi-catamaran - also planned for early 2003.

Steve Fossett's record-setting adventures and challenges are supported by Michelob ULTRA, the new low-carbohydrate beer from Anheuser-Busch, the world's largest brewer.

For additional media information (including photos free for press use), please see:  www.fossettchallenge.com

or contact Nicola Horne or Stuart Radnofsky at Project 100 Communications / Steve Fossett Challenges - email: p100sport@aol.com or phone on +44 1727 836238


Steve Soars Swiftly Into Record Book

Fossett Nabs New 500 km Glider Speed Record

15 November 2002 Omarama, New Zealand:  American Steve Fossett and New Zealand co-pilot Terry Delore captured the 500 kilometer world speed record for gliders today (Friday, November 15) in the South Island of New Zealand. After circling for over 2 hours waiting for the ideal conditions, Fossett and Delore streaked around a 500 kilometer (310 mile) triangle course in 2 hours and 44 minutes setting a new World Record speed of 185.63 km/h (115 mph).

Flying a German built ASH-25 (25 meter wingspan) glider, today's flight breaks the record set 12 years ago by Hans Werner Grosse of Germany at 171.10 km/h (106 mph).

This adds to Fossett's stellar year of world records in 3 sports. In July he completed the First Solo Balloon Flight Round the World on Bud Light Spirit of Freedom. And just 3 weeks ago he broke the Round Britain and Ireland sailing record in 4 days and 16 hours on the 125' (38 meter) ultra-catamaran PlayStation. This is Steve's first world record in gliding, although he made unsuccessful attempts on the glider altitude record in August.

Fossett and Delore's next distance gliding target is to re-capture the glider distance record which Delore previously held at 2,049 km. In 1999 German pilot Klaus Ohlmann pushed the record up to 2,463 km. Fossett will return to Omarama, New Zealand in December to take on this - one of the ultimate challenges in the sport of gliding.




| Powers Unlimited (c) | High Res image |

| Powers Unlimited (c) | High Res image |


In addition to distance gliding, Steve's forthcoming projects include the Christopher Columbus Route E-W TransAtlantic sailing record and the glider world altitude record - both planned in early 2003.

Steve Fossett's record-setting adventures and challenges are supported by Michelob ULTRA, the new low-carbohydrate beer from Anheuser-Busch, the world's largest brewer.

For additional media information (including photos free for press use)
please see:  www.fossettchallenge.com
or contact Nicola Horne or Stuart Radnofsky at Project 100
Communications / Steve Fossett Challenges - email: p100sport@aol.com or
phone on +44 1727 836238