The first team to do it will make also make a ballooning world record for distance and endurance of journey.

But record breakers come and go.

The real prize is to become the first - and the race is one to pass that milestone this century.

Five teams tried and failed to win the record earlier in the year - nearly all of them are determined to try again this season.

BBC News Online brings you coverage of the race over the coming months.

• Sky high hopes
  There are at least five teams competing to be first past this milestone - take a look at the teams.

• The driving force
  What makes them do it? Is there a prize? and what are the rules of the game?

• Flights of fancy - for you?
  If you are inspired by these adventurers, ballooning might not be as expensive as you think.

• Balloons make history
  For over 200 years balloonists have gone up, up and away making history.