Fossett Nears End of Round-the-World Trip

AUSTRALIA

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Adventurer Steve Fossett raced high over the icy southern Indian Ocean and closed in on his goal of being the first person to fly a balloon solo around the planet.

Flying as high as a commercial airliner at speeds of more than 100 mph, the 58-year-old U.S. millionaire was attempting to clear his last obstacle by riding over the top of a snowy storm system.

His control center in St. Louis said he was expected to reach the southwestern tip of Australia by midmorning PDT. About an hour later, he would seize one of aviation’s last records by crossing 117 degrees east longitude, the starting line for his flight from the continent’s outback more than 12 days ago.