Fyodor Konyukhov

In November 2000, Konyukhov was engaged in the French solo non-stop round the world yacht race "Vendée Globe" 2000-2001 (at first 24 skippers, then 15 rated) on the "Open 60" type "Modern University for the Humanities" yacht. Due to technical breakdown, Fyodor stopped at Sydney (AUS) and so was forfeited from the race. In 2020 Konyukhov remains the only Russian sailor to compete in this race.[6]

In May 2008, Konyukhov completed a solo circumnavigation of Antarctica in a sailboat, becoming the first person to do so. His attempt began on 26 January 2008 and took 102 days in total, with his route falling entirely between the 45th and 60th parallels south.[7]

Konyukhov has set world records, notably crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a row-boat URALAZ in 46 days,[8] the best 24-hour distance in the same boat (110 miles).

On 23 July 2016, Konyukhov became the second person to circumnavigate the world in a hybrid hot-air helium balloon.[9] American Steve Fossett is the only other person to have completed the feat, having done so in 2002 on his sixth attempt. Konyukhov took "just over 11 days", as opposed to Fossett's 13 days.[10]

Konyukhov announced his intention to challenge Fossett's record in September 2015,[11] although the idea had "first captured [his] imagination in 1992".[12] The balloon he used, named the Morton, was specially constructed by Cameron Balloons in Bristol, England,[13] and had a height of 60 metres (200 ft) and a volume of 15,500 cubic metres (20,300 cu yd). The balloon's non-pressurised gondola was made of carbon fibre and measured roughly 2 metres (6.6 ft) wide and 2 metres (6.6 ft) tall, containing Konyukhov's bed, food, water, oxygen, and first-aid supplies, as well as navigation and communication equipment.[12]

The attempt began in Northam, Western Australia, 96 kilometres (60 mi) north-east of Perth, on 12 July 2016.[14] He and his team had arrived in Australia in June, but experienced several delays due to weather and the failure of equipment to arrive on time.[15] After launching, Konyukhov flew east across Australia and the South Pacific Ocean to South America, where he passed through Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and the southern tip of Brazil. He then flew across the South Atlantic, the southern Indian Ocean, and the Southern Ocean before eventually landing again in Bonnie Rock, Western Australia, completing his circumnavigation.[16] Konyukhov's planned route was 33,000 kilometres (21,000 mi), but an unexpected southerly deviation (which took him to the Antarctic Circle) extended his flight to 34,000 kilometres (21,000 mi).[17]

He set a new round-the world time of 272h 11m,[9] as of 17 September 2016 subject to official confirmation.[18] He described his experience in a newspaper article.[19]

In November 2019 he said he would travel in a balloon into the stratosphere.[20]

2000 (March) – Completed the longest dog race IDITAROD – 1150 miles from Anchorage to Nome (Northern route)

2007 (May) - Dog sled expedition across Greenland Ice Cap from East to West. Started from Isortoq (East Coast) and finished at West Coast (Ilullisat). Covering about 800 km in 15 days and 22 hours during a Trans-Greenland dog sleigh ride.

2013 (April–May) – Dog sled expedition from North Pole to Canada. Together with his partner - Viktor Simonov they crossed Arctic Ocean in 46 days and reached the shores of Ward Hunt Island (Canada).

In 2011 Konyukhov fulfilled an expedition cross Ethiopia, covering more than 1000 km of route.[21]