"He's one of the most determined focused men I've ever met," Bellavance said of Fournier. "He's had some very bad luck, but I have no doubt that if anyone can break the record, Michel can." Bellavance can't help but recall the last time Fournier tried the feat. An explosive bolt release connecting Fournier's capsule to the giant $100,000-plus balloon fired prematurely, leaving the crestfallen parachutist on the tarmac, his balloon floating away without him. The errant balloon was eventually found wrecked, about 25 kilometres away from the launch site.