Bristol Balloon Fiesta to host national ballooning championships

It means even more balloons will fly over Bristol this August

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta draws in hundreds of thousands of people each year
Author: James DiamondPublished 14th Mar 2024

Organisers of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta say this year's edition will host a major ballooning competition.

For the first time ever the Fiesta, already considered one of the world's biggest ballooning events, will play host to the British National Hot Air Balloon Championships.

Otherwise known as "The Nationals" the competition will run from Tuesday 6 August to Sunday 11 August, with the Fiesta set to run from Friday 9 August through to the Sunday.

The Nationals will be an addition to the Fiesta’s new ‘Fiesta Week’ community launch programme which, weather permitting, will see balloons take off from different locations across the city, nominated by residents.

For every competition flight, each team will be tasked with completing a series of set challenges.

Some tasks include dropping markers, virtually or physically, in a predetermined location, completing a ‘donut’ where the pilot has to fly the greatest distance staying within a predefined airspace, or achieving an ‘elbow’ where they attempt to make a 180-degree turn using the winds.

Ben Hardy, executive director, Balloon International Balloon Fiesta commented: “We’re of course delighted to welcome the British National Hot Air Balloon Championships to the Fiesta and to the world capital of hot air ballooning, Bristol.

“The Fiesta is a celebration of the city’s rich balloon history and the love so many have for the sport.

"To provide the opportunity to show some of the most exciting and captivating action ballooning has to offer is an incredible addition to the programme.

“Alongside our new community launches, Fiesta Week promises to be an awe-inspiring occasion for everyone in the city to enjoy.”

Despite being a national championships the competition is open to teams from across the world.

The best placing British team will be picked to fly for Team GB Ballooning at the World Championships, due to take place in Szeged in Hungary in September.

Stephanie Hemmings, BBAC Competitions Club Chairman, said: “We’re very excited to host this year’s National Championships for the first time ever in Bristol alongside the Fiesta.

“It will be a new challenge to fly over the city and will undoubtedly show the high levels of skill from teams both from the UK and across the world.

"We can’t wait to kick things off in August.”

As usual the Fiesta will feature two Nightglows, this year taking place on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

Mass ascents are planned twice a day on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Entry to the Fiesta is free, but car parking tickets for the site can be bought via the event website here.

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