Ratification of Breitling Orbiter III World Records

The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world air sports federation based in Lausanne/Switzerland, announced today the formal ratification of the first round-the-world balloon flight by Bertrand Piccard (Switzerland) and Brian Jones (United Kingdom).

The flight, which took place between 1st and 21st of March 1999, broke 4 world records, 3 of them absolute records for balloons. The performances ratified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale are:

· Shortest time around the world (AM 15 + Absolute)	15 days 10 hours 24 min. (370 h. 24 min.)
· Distance (AM 15 + Absolute)	40'814 km
· Duration (AM 15 + Absolute)	19 days 21 hours 47 min. (477 h. 47 min.)
· Altitude (AM 15 only)	11'737 meters

The FAI offers its warmest congratulations to Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones for their historic achievements. These will be publicly recognised on a date to be announced shortly with the presentation of FAI World Record Diplomas.

Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
Avenue Mon-Repos 24
CH-1005 Lausanne
Switzerland

Email : press@fai.org
Tel : +41 21 345 1070
Fax: +41 21 345 1077