ST. LOUIS (Reuters) - U.S. pilot Steve Fossett raced across Australia on strong high altitude winds in his bid to become the first person to circle the world nonstop in a balloon, possibly reaching the coast by Sunday morning. After more than 10 hours at altitudes often approaching 9,144 metres and speeds reaching 225.8 kph, Fossett passed through south central Australia north of Adelaide to approach the coast, team members said. Under current conditions, Fossett was expected to pass just north of Brisbane on Australia`s east coast at about 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, team member Doug Blount said. "He`s been really smoking," Blount said. "Right now we are pretty well on track for exiting near Gladstone, about 320 km north of Brisbane." The 54-year-old financial markets millionaire reascended after finding the descent did little to change direction, but reduced speed to about 88 kph, team members said. If the team elects to descend and reduce speed, that could change the projections by about two hours, Blount added. Blount said Fossett could reach the coast of South America in six to eight days if present conditions are maintained and cross the Andes in a matter of hours. Australia affords Fossett the last substantial chance to abort the mission over land should he decide he cannot make the long final leg over water. If he has to ditch in the ocean, his balloon capsule is designed to float and he also has a four-man life raft. His control centre said it would alert the nearest ship if he did go down over water. Fossett made three previous tries for the around-the-world mark, all of them in the Northern Hemisphere. The current expedition could last 18 days.