After an aborted attempt yesterday due to weather, French skydiver Michel Fournier was all set today to break a world record by jumping out of a balloon at 130,000 feet. Of course, that was until his balloon left the ground without him. The $200,000 helium balloon detached itself from the gondola that was going to carry Fournier 25 miles up while it was being filled this morning in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. The jump, which obviously isn't going to happen now, had already depleted his financial resources making the chances of another attempt in the near future pretty slim. It is rather unfortunate as this jump was to set a record for the longest and fastest free fall ever. In fact, Fournier was claiming at one point during the free fall, his body would go supersonic. It also would have been the highest parachute jump and the highest balloon flight ever. Needless to say, Fournier is bummed out. C'est la vie.
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Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Skydiver fails to set world record when his ride takes off without him
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5 comments:
Seriously, could some billionaire or corporation please step up and front the 200k or whatever it's going to cost to get this guy up to 130,000 feet? This jump was important and should have taught us all something, even if it turned out that a human could not survive the jump from space. I'd do it but I don't have 200k lying around to devote to this. Thanks. Have a nice day.
workpost,
You've gotta be kidding me. Look I was really bummed when I read this, too, and I want him to make his jump. But why the hell does he deserve 200,000 to make his eccentric hobby happen? Can't you think of better uses of a corporation's $200000?
I agree with workpost, give the guy $200k. It's only $200k. That's less than the cost of a single bomb dropped in Iraq. Let's use that money for something fun and inspirational.
Don't be such a pussy drew.
Awww, that sucks. Poor guy!
Returned to add: You know, corporations spend more money on more frivolous things than this. I think that "rebel billionaire" Richard Branson should spot him the cash. That dude owns his own private island, and it's ridiculous! (Yeah, I saw it on MTV Cribs! ;) Plus, he's into this kind of thing.
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