FED: Dick Smith to fly from New Zealand in a hot air balloon

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-1999
FED: Dick Smith to fly from New Zealand in a hot air balloon

Millionaire entrepreneur DICK SMITH is about to launch his latest adventure - flying
from New Zealand to Australia in a hot air balloon, against the wind.

SMITH, who believes he has a 50 per cent chance of reaching Australia, decided to attempt
the voyage after advertising guru JOHN SINGLETON bet him $100,000 he couldn't do it.

Money raised will go to the Bill Crews Exodus Foundation charity.

SMITH will attempt the journey, which goes against the normal meteorological air currents
between the two countries, with co-pilot JOHN WALLINGTON in early February.

The voyage is expected to take three days but the acronauts will take enough supplies for a week.

SMITH's said in a statement that he's reasonably confident they'll succeed but in just
in case they don't quite make it, entrepreneur RENE RIVKIN has promised to pick them up
in his yacht if they're close to Sydney.

SMITH says safety will be paramount, the gondola is designed to float, and it'll be
carrying full survival equipment.

AAP RTV km/jn

KEYWORD: BALLOON (SYDNEY)

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