"Michel Fournier began final preparations for a stunt that will, should all go well, end in the pre-dawn darkness Monday with him rising slowly in a helium-powered balloon pod up to the very void of space - and then stepping off.
The 64-year-old French skydiver aims to free fall 40,000 meters (130,000 feet) in a specially designed suit, helmet and parachute to advance the cause of science and, in the process, break four free fall records."
Michel Fournier is the step father of a waitress at my inlaws restraunt. She was telling me about this this week. Apparently it will be done in the next couple of days or when the weather is right.
He had planned to make the jump in his native France, but the government denied him permission, dubbing the project too dangerous.
He then came to North Battleford, an agriculture and transportation hub northwest of Saskatoon. The surrounding area has few lakes and lots of open land to go with an underused airport that serves as the perfect launch point
I did a couple stories on this guy when I was stationed in good ol' NB.
He's been wanting to do it for a long time, so here's hoping everything goes well.
At last check, the launch had been pushed back to 8 AM, with the balloon taking 2 1/2 hours to rise...and him taking 15 minutes to fall back to earth.
The "Big Jump" in North Battleford
