Team decides against Thursday supersonic skydive

By Jeri Clausing

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, Oct. 10 2012 11:55 a.m. MDT

View 12 photos »

This photo provided by Red Bull Stratos shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria reacting after his mission was aborted in Roswell, N.M., Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012. For the second straight day, extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner aborted his planned death-defying 23-mile free fall because of the weather, postponing his quest to become the world's first supersonic skydiver until at least Thursday.

Red Bull Stratos, Joerg Mitter, Associated Press

Summary

Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner hopes to make a second attempt at a supersonic skydive over New Mexico on Sunday or Monday.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner hopes to make a second attempt at a supersonic skydive over New Mexico on Sunday or Monday.

Baumgartner aborted his mission Tuesday due to high winds, and his team had hoped the weather Thursday would allow him another try then. But now they're looking at the next break in weather being Sunday or Monday.

Baumgartner is hoping to become the first skydiver to break the sound barrier by jumping from a capsule floated 23 miles into the stratosphere by 55-story helium balloon.

The jump was postponed due to wind Monday, then aborted at the last minute because of wind gusts Tuesday.

The balloon is so delicate that it can take off only if winds on the ground are 2 mph or less.

Comments