In the last year five teams tried and failed to circumnavigate the globe, non-stop, in a balloon.

Nearly all of them are trying again this season - determined to take this milestone for themselves - and the century.

Two front runners, Steve Fossett, who was almost killed in his last solo attempt in August, and millionaire Richard Branson, have teamed up for their latest attempt which will be in the ICO Global.

Andy Elson, who set a new distance record in the Breitling Orbiter II in February 1998, has this season teamed up with Colin Prescott and will be attempting the record a Cable and Wireless sponsored balloon.

This season there is a new challenger - the Team Remax, piloted by American Bob Martin and Australian John Wallington. This unusual balloon will attempt to circle the globe at the edge of the Earth's atmosphere.

Last year's Global Hilton team which only managed 100 miles before the two pilots, Dick Rutan and Dave Melton had to parachute out are not taking part this season.

ICO Global

Pilot: Per Lindstrand
Crew: Richard Branson, millionaire owner of Virgin and Steve Fossett who holds numerous ballooning records.
Launch site: Marrakech, Morocco
Launch date: December 1998
Branson and Lindstrand's previous attempts: January 1997 - 23 hours and 400 miles before crash-landing in Algeria; December 1997 the balloon broke from its moorings hours before the crew were due to climb into the capsule. The attempt was called off due to bad weather.
Fossett's previous attempts: The veteran balloonist made four attempts in his balloon Solo Spirit including: January 1997 - six days and 10,000 miles (16,000 km), setting records for distance and duration. January 1998 - four hours and 11 minutes; August 1998 - 18,000 km and a new distance record. Attempt ended when his balloon ruptured over the Pacific Ocean.

Cable and Wireless

Pilots: Andy Elson and Colin Prescot
Launch site: La Envia Golf,Almeria, Spain
Launch date: November 1998
Previous attempt: Elson set the world balloon endurance record in February 1998 on the Brietling Orbiter II with nine days and 17 hours of flight. The attempt was abandoned when China refused permission for the balloon to pass through its airspace.

Breitling Orbiter III

Pilots: Bertrand Piccard and Tony Brown
Launch site: Chateau d'Oex, Switzerland
Launch date: Late November 1998
Previous attempts: These include January 1997 when it took only six hours before technical problems forced the crew to land in the Mediterranean. February 1998 - set endurance record of nine days and 17 hours. Attempt ended when China refused permission to pass through its airspace.

J Renee

Pilot: Kevin Uliassi - solo
Launch site: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Launch date: November 1998 onwards
Previous attempt: January 1998 - A faulty vent on the craft forced him to land three hours after launch.

Team Remax