One year ago today: Russian Fedor Konyukhov completes around the world tour

Exactly one year ago, Russian adventurer Fedor Konyukhov broke the record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe in a combined (hybrid) hot-air and helium gas balloon.

He beat American pioneer Steve Fossett’s record of 2002 by two days, making the 34,000km journey in 268 hours and 20 minutes.

Konyukhov battled antarctic winds and temperatures down to -56C while flying at heights of up to 10,000 metres.

Fossett and Konyukhov are the only ones who ever circumnavigated the world solo in a balloon.

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Video Credit: ABC News (AUS)