A Russian Orthodox priest has set a new record after flying solo in a balloon around the Earth with no stops in 11 days, authorities told ABC News.
Fedor Konyukhov, 65, began his trip around the world on July 12 and landed Saturday about 100 miles east of Northam, Australia, flight coordinator John Wallington told ABC News.
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"He's landed, he's safe, he's sound, he's happy," Wallington told ABC. "It's just amazing."
Konyukhov arrived back in Australia with a bruise on his cheek after a rocky landing and in desperate need of a shower, officials told the news station. He traveled as fast as 150 miles per hour and as high as 34,823 feet on the 21,100-mile journey.
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American businessman Steve Fossett also started from Northam to set a record of 13 days, 8 hours for his 33,000-kilometer (20,500-mile) journey in 2002.
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