In the 66th Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett, the competition has entered day four, and the tension is mounting. In the latest update from the Command Center at 7:00 a.m. MDT, only two gas balloons remain aloft, showcasing their exceptional endurance and determination.

The remaining teams, Germany 1 (GER-1) and France 2 (FRA-2), have not only outlasted their competitors but have also surpassed all other teams in terms of distance covered. As they continue to glide through the skies, they are now engaged in a captivating race to outlast each other before touching down on the North Carolina coast. It is anticipated that the first team to land will secure the prestigious second place in the competition.

Currently navigating the skies south of Fayetteville, North Carolina, the teams are facing a critical juncture. Fayetteville lies a mere 94 miles from the coast, and with east winds influencing their flight path, there is limited room for further maneuvering. It appears that both teams will make a direct descent to the beach, concluding their journey. The U.S. teams have secured fourth- and fifth-place spots, respectively. 

Wilhelm Eimers of Germany 1 (GER-1) is a seasoned balloonist with an impressive track record. This is his 30th Gordon Bennett race, and he boasts five victories. Eimers has accumulated over 9,000 flight hours and holds multiple records, including the Gordon Bennett duration record of more than 92 hours aloft. His co-pilot, Benjamin Eimers, is the 2023 recipient of the Diplome Montgolfier, the highest accolade in ballooning.

On the French side, Eric Decellières and Benoit Havret of France 2 (FRA-2) are no strangers to the Gordon Bennett competition. They secured a second-place finish in the 2021 race and have impressive track records with two top-five finishes and four top-ten rankings. Known for their tenacity and competitive spirit, they are putting up a fierce fight.

Both teams have already covered more than 2,400 kilometers (1,491.3 miles) in their gas balloons, displaying extraordinary determination. As the race reaches its climax, the outcome is expected to be decided within the next hour or two. Balloon enthusiasts and spectators alike are eagerly awaiting the final moments of this thrilling and historic event.

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In an unfortunate accident during the 66th Gordon Bennett Cup, a sport gas balloon, flown by Poland Team 1, collided with a powerline while participating in the international distance competition. The accident, which occurred near Crandall, Texas, located southeast of Dallas, has left both pilots, Krzystotf Zapart and Pjotr Halas, residents of Poland, with injuries, according to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (ABIF).

The balloon’s flight took a dramatic turn Monday evening when it came into contact with the powerline. Both pilots were transported to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas, for medical attention. Zapart, the lead pilot, suffered cuts and burns to his legs and arms, and Halas is being treated for burns and broken bones in his legs and midsection. The experienced gas balloon pilots have logged significant flight hours in their careers, according to a statement put out by ABIF on Tuesday.

“We are relieved that the outcome of the incident was not any worse, and to hear that Krzysztof may be released from the hospital later today,” said event director Tomas Hora in a statement Tuesday. “We are receiving many words of encouragement and support from the other teams participating in the Gordon Bennett and from the ballooning community throughout the United States and the world,” Hora added. 

Poland Team 1 was among 17 gas balloon teams participating in the 66th Gordon Bennett Cup, an international distance competition that draws elite balloonists from around the world. The team had the honor of being the first to take flight when the launch window opened at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. All the participating teams embarked on their journey from Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and headed eastward toward the Texas-New Mexico border. Poland Team 1’s flight path took them over Arlington, Texas, at approximately 3:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time Monday.

The team maintained an altitude of 12,000 feet while passing above the Dallas-Fort Worth (KDFW) airspace before beginning their descent. The balloon’s tracking device indicated a stop in motion at 7:25 p.m., marking the accident. The weather and visibility conditions in Crandall were reported as good at the time of the impact.

Hydrogen gas adheres to industry standards for gas balloon flights in both North America and Europe, where the sport enjoys significant popularity.

At the time of the accident, the team’s two-person chase crew was in Wichita Falls, Texas. It is customary for chase crews to strategically position themselves in anticipation of their teams’ flight paths, making it easier to track and support the balloons during their journey. The chase crew members joined the injured pilots in Dallas.

Despite the unfortunate event, the 66th annual Gordon Bennett competition continues. Several participating teams were expected to land today. The competition represents the pinnacle of gas balloon racing and will continue to captivate enthusiasts and competitors.

“The pilots participating in the Gordon Bennett are well aware that this is a challenging sport that has a certain element of risk as in all air sports,” said Hora in the statement. “Krzysztof and Pjtor are people with adventurous spirits and long-time balloonists who well understand those risks. They would not wish this incident to distract or draw attention from the competition still underway as teams continue to try to achieve the greatest distance from the starting point in Albuquerque.”

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The event will be hosted by the renowned Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, with 17 crews ascending to the skies in pursuit of victory.

Established more than a century ago, the Gordon Bennett race stands as a timeless testament to the allure and challenge of long-distance gas ballooning. The competition attracts highly skilled and celebrated pilot teams from across the globe who come prepared to endure the rigors of a race like no other.

In the unique event, the team that covers the greatest distance from its starting point wins. While it may sound straightforward in theory, the Gordon Bennett race is anything but easy. Victory hinges on exceptional physical endurance, unwavering morale, mental resilience, and an extensive understanding of wind patterns and weather conditions. Pilots face ext reme temperatures, fatigue, and dehydration during their challenging quest for the longest distance flight.

Each participating team consists of two pilots supported by a dedicated ground crew. This year, France, Germany, and the U.S. have fielded three teams each—the maximum allowed. Austria and Poland are represented by two teams apiece, while Lithuania, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom have pinned their hopes on a single team.

Germany’s Wilhelm and Benjamin Eimers, a father-son duo, are the team to watch. Having secured victory in Albuquerque last year, they are undoubtedly among the most accomplished gas balloon pilots. Wilhelm Eimers boasts an impressive record, having participated in the race a record 29 times with five victories.

The race pays tribute to James Gordon Bennett Jr., who was renowned for not only founding the now-defunct International Herald Tribune but also for generously sponsoring air sports. Seeking the expertise of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), Bennett organized the inaugural Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett on September 30, 1906, at Paris’ Tuileries Gardens. The event’s immense success led Bennett to entrust FAI with the race’s organization, while his name continued to be synonymous with the esteemed trophy.

Throughout its storied history, the race has seen remarkable feats in terms of both duration and distance. In 2005, Belgium’s Bob Berben and Benoit Simeons shattered a distance record set in 1912 with an impressive flight covering a total of 3,400.39 kilometers. Last year, Wilhelm Eimers and Bernd Landsmann soared for an astonishing 92 hours and 11 minutes to secure victory—an accomplishment that took longer than completing the first Pacific Ocean crossing. Typically, Gordon Bennett teams remain airborne for approximately 50 to 65 hours. 

The 66th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett promises to be a captivating spectacle, showcasing the unwavering spirit of adventure and enduring legacy of its pioneering founder.. and his dedication to air sports.

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