2. Guy Laliberté The billionaire founder of psychedelic live entertainment group Cirque du Soleil recently completed a $35 million ride to a space station via Space Adventures. Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a Russian rocket Sept. 30, the acrobat's journey lasted 12 days. The Canadian mogul is also a competitive poker player
3. Richard Branson Virgin chief has broken speed records on the sea and in the air. His "Virgin Atlantic Challenger II" speedboat broke the record for crossing the Atlantic in 1986: three days, eight hours and 31 minutes. Became the first to cross Atlantic Ocean in a hot air balloon a year later; crossed Pacific Ocean 1991. Today his Virgin Galactic space company is developing a commercial orbital travel service
4. Larry Ellison Head of Oracle readying for another attempt to win sailing's prestigious America's Cup. America's third-richest man has never advanced past semi finals in quest for the Cup. Sued current cup holder, Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, for another shot at title. In May, New York Supreme Court judge ruled that Bertarelli must offer rematch by February 2010; race set for seas off Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Ellison has spent more than $100 million in his quest so far
5. Ernesto Bertarelli Swiss biotech billionaire will attempt to win his third America's Cup title in February, against Larry Ellison. Two-time winner of sailing's most prestigious race fought two-year battle with Ellison over race terms; lost. Web site of his racing team Alinghi displays cartoons mocking Ellison's team
6. Roger Penske Before building automotive empire, Penske drove cars in both Formula One and NASCAR races in the early 1960s. Retired in 1965 to focus on business. Founded auto empire Penske Corp. Today, Penske Racing one of most dominant teams in the sport
7. Robert Rich Head of frozen foods firm Rich Products is also a tournament angler. Won membership into the Metropolitan South Florida Fishing Tournament Hall of Fame after catching required 10 species of game fish with 10 specific types of tackle. Penned book Fish Fightsabout the experience
8. Ted Turner Media maven skippered the Courageous to victory in sailing's prestigious America's Cup in 1977. North America's largest landowner and founder of CNN is also a member of the America's Cup Hall of Fame.
9. William Koch Chief of Oxbow (coal, natural gas) was skipper of America3 USA 23, winning the America's Cup 1992. Wine enthusiast suing collectors and auction house for selling him counterfeit vino; paid $500,000 for four bottles that supposedly had belonged to Thomas Jefferson.
10. Thomas Friedkin Toyota middleman moonlights as Hollywood stunt pilot; films include Jaws: the Revenge, Police Academy 4, Mulholland Falls. Father Kenneth Friedkin trained pilots, flew missions in WWII; started San Diego flight school and later Pacific Southwest 1949. Tom, a motorcycle and race car enthusiast, owns elite safari outfit Tanzania Game Tracker Safaris; offers hunting and photo expeditions
