Ballooning > Balloon Festivals > Championships

• Most unusual Tasks for Balloon Races - I asked folks to write about the most unusual balloon races they ever participated in regardless of how well they did or did not work out! Following are all the responses to my query – from all over the world!
  
   
• 2006 World Championships, Motegi, Japan - Official site of the 17th world hot air balloon championship, held in Motegi, Japan in November, 2006. In English.
  
   
• 15th World championship of hot air balloons - Châtellerault 2002 - Official site of 15th World Hot Air Balloon Championship. Competition, classifications, rules, current events, festivities, history, video streaming... Préworlds August 2001 and Worlds from August 23 til September 1st 2002 in Châtellerault, France.
  
   
• 48° Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett - Official website of the 2004 Gordon Bennett gas balloon race, the oldest ongoing aviation event. Results, flight tracks, news and photos. Launched from Thionville, France.
  
   
• Balloons - Links to description of nationals and South African balloon organizations.
  
   
• Hot Air Balloon European Cup - Official website of the Hot Air Balloon European Cup which takes place in Mainfonds France.
  
   
• Hot Air Balloons Championship of Poland - Poland's 15th hot air championship took place in August 1999.
  
   
• Lithuanian ballooning - 2003 European Championship - Lietuvos oreiviu puslapis - Information on the Lithuanian Championships and other competitions in Europe. Site for the 2003 European Championships and 2002 pre-Europeans. In English.
  
   
• Michigan Challenge Balloonfest - The state of Michigan's hot-air ballooning championship. Arts & crafts, stunt kites, skydiving, carnival, balloon glow, car show and much more. Held the last weekend in June in Howell, MI.
  
   
• New York State Festival of Balloons - Held each Labor Day weekend in Dansville, NY. Also offers balloon and helicopter rides plus a crafts fair.
  
   
• North Central Regional Championship - The National Balloon Classic hosts the North Central Regional Championship and Iowa State Championship in early August at Indianola, Iowa. 9 day event.
  
   
• Patagonia Hot Air Balloon Cup - Competition event held in Patagonia, Argentina. In spanish with lots of glacier pictures.
  
   
• Russian Championships - The Russian Open Hot Air Ballooning Championship. In Russian and English (click on translate).
  
   
• Team US National Balloon Championships & Air Show - Headquarters for the Team U.S. National Hot-Air Balloon Championship and Air Show in Battle Creek Michigan. Held in early July.
  
   
• The Great Texas Balloon Race - The great Texas balloon race in Longview Texas features thrilling ballooning competitions and the Texas state balloon championship. Held mid-July.
  
   
• UK Hot Air Balloon Competition: Longest flights within a county - The Counties Challenge for hot air balloon pilots for the longest flight within the boundaries of a single county within the UK. For BBAC (British Balloon and Airship Club) pilots, and crew! Has current standings, and archives of past years results.
  
   
• Wildhorse Resort-Casino Women's Shootout Hot Air Balloon Championship - Intense all female pilot competition held in Mid-October at the casino.
  
   
• Brazilian Balloon Championships - 6� CAMPEONATO PAULISTA DE BALONISMOS�o Carlos/SP � 01 a 05 de Agosto de 2007. Results of the 20th balloon championships held in August. Site in Portuguese.
  
   
• America's Challenge Race - Gas balloon race held annually in Albuquerque since 1995. The inaugural race broke distance records dating back to 1912. Complete info on the upcoming race, plus past years' results and gas balloon pictures.
  
   
• Championnat de France de Montgolfières - French National Championship - 1999. Information and results, all in French. Résultats en ligne du Championnats de France de Montgolfières de Chatellerault 1999.