Skydiver to fall record 40km

2008-05-26 12:13

North Battleford, Canada - French skydiver Michel Fournier takes his life in his hands on Monday when, weather permitting, he leaps from a balloon 40km above Canada's western plains.

The 64-year-old parachutist said it was his life's dream to make the record jump, which will begin at the outer reaches of the stratosphere - about four times higher than the cruising altitude of a commercial jet.

Fournier spent Sunday resting and making the final arrangements in the small city of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, from where he will head up into the heavens in a stratospheric balloon and then throw himself off.

He will be wearing a pressurised suit capable of withstanding temperatures of minus 100 degrees Celsius as he hurtles to Earth at more than 1 500km per hour.

If he succeeds, Fournier will actually break four world records: for fastest freefall, longest freefall, highest jump, and highest altitude reached by a man in a balloon. It could also someday lead to rescuing astronauts in-flight.

"This project is a great scientific and human challenge," said Fournier, a former military officer. "This is my baby, my dream. I just want to realise my dream."

- AFP