BALLOONING IN 2003

13th European Hot Air Balloon Championship in Vilnius

The Competition took place in Vilnius, Lithuania in August 9-16, 2003. The European Hot Air Balloon Champion became Uwe Schneider from Germany. Congratulations to the Champion!

Congratulations to ALTIUS pilot Gunars Dukste who took the 14th place in rank, as well! The higest one during the time Latvians have participated in European&World Championships!

Some references by David Bareford (FAI/CIA Competitors Subcommittee) about the Event are as follows:

"Overall competitors thought that this was a good event in an excellent area - except for the roads and flight ceiling.

The major criticism was the lack of variety in task setting and the weather briefings. Big advantages were no landowner problems and the excellent study time of tasks before rollcall

The slight drawback to the last point was that many of the tasks were subsequently changed and these without written confirmation. More tasks in the morning would have been popular and so too (again) would the publication of scores in a format that more people could have read them".

More.... - see at www.ballooning.lt

There are Championship at photoes from ALTIUS and LMT archieves.

The next European Hot Air Balloon Championship will be held in Debrecen, Hungary in 2005.

Ballooning Tour in Latvia Two Ballooning Fiestas took place in the Latvia's lovely sky at the beginning of the summer. From May 22 to May 25, in RIGA - The RigaVision Balloon Contest - during the one of the world's most-watched TV song event The Eurovision Song Contest. Balloons painted the sky over the city followed by songs.

The competition target for balloons flights and some tasks alike Key Grab and Lucky Box was located on the river Daugava water. New "TOYOTA Corolla" in "Key Grab" flight - a challenge for participants to check thair pilot skills and luck.

From May 30 to June 1, SIGULDA offered not only to enjoy exiting flying possibilities over the primeval river Gauja valley, sandstones forms steep rocks and caves and Turaida castle, but also a special "Sigulda Trophy". A balloon competition was arranged as a part of the fiesta in a friendly ambiance with fair play. Let's fly together!