Largest mass ascent-Lorraine Mondial Air Ballons
rally sets world record
Chambley-Bussieres, France -- A total of 329 balloons
lined up to take off at dusk at the Lorraine Mondial Air Ballons
rally in eastern France-setting the world record for the largest
mass ascent of hot air baloons.
(enlarge
photo) A spokesman for the Lorraine Mondial
Air Balloons described the mass ascent as: 'a magical moment,
unique in the world,' and going by these shots, it is difficult
to disagree.
With about a thousand participating
balloons, the Lorraine Mondial Air Ballons is the world's
biggest hot-air balloon rally.
The annual event featured a number of Brits
who had made the short hop over the Channel to take part.
According to the British Balloon and Airship
Club, the event is the largest of its kind in Europe and thousands
of balloonists and spectators descend - or perhaps ascend
- from the French site.
The previous Guinness world record for
the largest mass ascent took place on 15 August 1987, when
128 hot-air balloons took off in the course of one hour at
the Ninth Bristol International Balloon Festival, at Ashton
Court, Bristol, UK. Related world records: Largest
Origami Giraffe-world record set by Himanshu Agrawal