Channel challenges are a hit and miss

An attempt to cross the English Channel in a pedal-powered airship has failed, shortly after a man flew across it using four jet engines on a wing strapped to his body.

Stephane Rousson, 39, from Nice abandonned his attempt to cross from Britain to France after a change in wind direction.

Mr Rousson had waited for more than a week for the right conditions before setting off in his vehicle, an airship which uses pedals to power two propellors.

On Saturday, Swiss pilot Yves Rossy flew into history books using a jet powered wing to cross the Channel from France to Britain.

"It was great. I feel a lot more calm now than before the flight. It was perfect conditions," said Rossy.

Hitting speeds of almost 200kmh he crossed the 22-mile stretch in ten minutes after jumping out of a plane at an altitude of 2,500m.

The event was covered live by the National Geographic TV channel.

Mr Rossy said: "I hope that many people will have the opportunity to fly like this. I am full of hope that there will be many in the future."

Photo:AFP Philippe Hugeun