Canadian balloon pilots chalked up another victory in the Canada-U.S. Race at the 9th Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Toronto pilot Brian Bell dropped his marker closet to target, followed by American Bill Whidden. Over 225,000 visitors attended the Festival, which has seven scheduled flights throughout the long Labor Day weekend and has become the largest event of its kind in Canada.

The Canada-U.S. Race, a joint Gatineau-Glens Falls initiative, is a tribute to friendly relations between the Canadian and American hot air balloon communities.

In 1997, Gatineau is celebrating its Festival's 10th anniversary from August 29 to September 1.