Branson balloon crosses Japan

Branson balloon crosses Japan

A hot-air balloon operated by a British-led team attempting to make the first nonstop voyage around the world passes over the Pacific near Nagoya, central Japan, on Dec. 24. The balloon, flown by Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin group of companies, and his teammates Steve Fossett and Per Lindstrand entered Japanese airspace shortly after 7 a.m. Japan time over Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture in southwestern Japan, passing over Hiroshima and Osaka on its way to the Pacific toward North America.

Setting sail

Setting sail

The twin-hull yacht Explorer, skippered by French adventurer Bruno Peyron, set sail from Yokohama port bound for San Francisco on Aug. 2 in a bid to set a world record for the fastest crossing of the Pacific by yacht. Peyron said he hopes to complete the trip in 12-14 days, beating the 16-day record set by U.S. adventurer Steve Fossett in August 1995 with a bigger and speedier boat. The Explorer, 26 meters from bow to stern, is eight meters longer than Fossett's and has a top speed of 37 knots.

Branson balloon crosses Japan

Branson balloon crosses Japan

A hot-air balloon operated by a British-led team attempting to make the first nonstop voyage around the world passes over the Pacific near Nagoya, central Japan, on Dec. 24. The balloon, flown by Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin group of companies, and his teammates Steve Fossett and Per Lindstrand entered Japanese airspace shortly after 7 a.m. Japan time over Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture in southwestern Japan, passing over Hiroshima and Osaka on its way to the Pacific toward North America.