French Balloonist becomes first to cross Arctic

Entertainment

French Balloonist becomes first to cross Arctic

Close

12 April,2010 12:34 pm

A French explorer has become the first person to have crossed the Arctic flying solo by hot air balloon. Sixty three-year-old Jean-Louis Etienne was picked up by helicopter in Bagatai, Russia, five days after taking off in Norway. He travelled more than 3,000km on his voyage over the Arctic Circle. Etienne was set to land in Alaska, but bad weather forced him to change course.