It took a lot of hot air, but this is the moment that more than 400 hot air balloons sailed into the record book. A total of 433 hot air balloons lifted off from air base to break the previous world record for simultaneous flights.
The balloons, including some impressive designs such as a French castle and round, fat cartoon character Obelix, were seen drifting above the skies after taking off from Chambley-Bussieres, northeastern France. The previous record was set at the same spot in 2013 when 391 balloons went up.
“A new page in ballooning history has been written,” said Philippe Buron-Pilatre, organizer of the twice-yearly Lorraine Mondial Air Ballons event. “The biggest dangers for the balloons, which were arranged in parallel lines six kilometers (four miles) long for the takeoff, was that two of them might clash causing tears in their fabric, something that has happened twice since 1989.” he added.
The popular festival has been taking place in France since 1989 and attracts balloonists from around the world. For the World Record enthusiasts from over 40 nations took part. Previous record attempts at the festival have been hampered by bad weather. In 2011, hundreds of balloonists had to postpone their attempt while poor conditions cleared.
Hot air balloon festivals are held annually around the world every year, but the Lorraine Mondial Air Ballon is said to be the biggest in Europe. It takes place over 10 days and features two balloon take-offs everyday, kites, gliders, and planes.
The first hot-air balloon was created by French brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier in the French town of Annonay and first flew for just 10 minutes in June 1783. The first manned flight took place over Paris in October that same year.
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