Frenchman's Record-Breaking Parachute Jump Delayed, at Least

"Frenchman Plummeting 25 Miles From The Sky Will Break Sound Barrier"
Miijoo (May 25, 2008)

Well, it would have. This article gives details, with photos and graphics, of what was planned. The parachutist's balloon went up without him.

" French parachutist: 'I'm not about to give up'"
CNN (May 27, 2008)

"French parachutist Michel Fournier vowed Tuesday to try again to launch a record-breaking skydive in August, hours after a "freak" accident over Canada aborted his second attempt to do so.

" 'I'm not about to give up,' the 64-year-old adventurer said of his shot at setting a world record for the highest jump and fastest, longest free fall by a man riding a balloon...."

The CNN article includes photos, links to videos.