Stephane Rousson

Stephane Rousson

Stephane Rousson, 39, is a Frenchman who has twice attempted to cross the English Channel in a pedal-powered airship.

Stephane Rousson Probably Has a Sweet Commute

A member of the public (R) helps Balloonist Stephane Rousson prepare his pedal powered airship for launch on September 28, 2008 in Hythe, England. Amateur pilot Rousson failed in an earlier attempt to make the 34-mile (55km) journey across the English Chanel in a pedal powered airship. His journey over one of the world's busiest shipping lanes could take up to eight hours. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images Europe)
Frenchman Stephane Rousson attempted to pedal his way across the English Channel yesterday, just two days after Swiss pilot Yves Rossy flew from England to France using a home-made jetpack.  It was Rousson's second attempt; his departure in June was cancelled due to strong winds.
Balloonist Stephane Rousson pedals his airship over the English Channel on September 28, 2008 off Hythe, England. Amateur pilot Rousson failed in an earlier attempt to make the 34-mile (55km) journey across the English Chanel in a pedal powered airship. His journey over one of the world's busiest shipping lanes could take up to eight hours. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images Europe)
Sadly, Rousson's mission was thwarted once more by those pesky winds.  He hovered, stationary, only 11 miles from France for two hours before he gave up.  Rousson was happy that it was the weather and not a technical failure that grounded him.  He told The Times:  “The success is not with me but I have had so much fun. My legs are a little bit burnt and I’m sure tomorrow I will be feeling a little sad but I’ll have a few beers.”

Check out what the pedal-powered airship looks like in action:
More pictures:
  • Channel Crossing In A Pedal Powered Balloon
  • Channel Crossing In A Pedal Powered Balloon
  • Channel Crossing In A Pedal Powered Balloon
  • Channel Crossing In A Pedal Powered Balloon
  • Channel Crossing In A Pedal Powered Balloon
  • Channel Crossing In A Pedal Powered Balloon
  • Channel Crossing In A Pedal Powered Balloon
  • Channel Crossing In A Pedal Powered Balloon
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