by Mark Rowlee
The region known for its
cognac, pineau and fois gras played host to this year both the 6th Coupe
d'Europe de Montgolfiers and the 9th Ladies World Cup from July 24 to August
2. Centered at a family farm-area known as Chez Charon just south of Angoulême,
the event hosted nearly 50 balloons from around Europe and the rest of the
World.
The top men and women pilots converged on this area just North of Bordeaux in the region known as the Charente to compete in the European Championships. And the best women pilots in the world gathered to participate in one of the best organized and efficient events this writer has attended in years.
In an area remote by most standards the logistics of housing this many pilots and crew was a major undertaking. Most stayed with families throughout the area in "chambre d'hôtes' or in bed and breakfast accommodations offering everyone a unique opportunity to make new friends and experience true French hospitality.
People like Stella Roux Devillas and Alison Odell exercised their organizational expertise and held the program together. All facets of the event came together flawlessly.
The competition was handled in the same professional manner. The tasks included the hare and hound as well as several judge declared tasks with one to three targets. But when it came time to relax between flights or in the evenings the camaraderie flourished. The meals included were great, considering the rural location of the event and the catering logistics for 200 plus pilots, crew members, VIPs and officials.
Serving this many people breakfast, lunch and dinner daily was handled extremely well thanks to the untiring efforts of the communities of Mainfond and Aubeville, the area hosts for this annual event.
The parties and get-togethers
offered a "house" band capable of playing everything from the
Beatles to Caruso. Dancing to the early hours was enjoyed by all both Saturday
and Sunday evenings.
The awards dinner and party were combined with a highly-publicized party open to everyone in the Charente region. Ample amounts of escargots, wine, breads and pastries were on hand for everyone. Following this came the opportunity to work off the meal with more dancing to the same "house" band... an "Event" in every sense of the word.
A brief rainstorm on the last evening put an early end to the event but didn't dampen spirits for this fun event. By 11 p.m. the sky was again clear and the pilot and crew with Sky Balloons set up a tether to show off their new, well-designed, system.
But when it came time to fly at each event the professionalism and courtesy shown was tremendous. Assistance was offered at every turn, from extra crew help to launch and retrieval advice and help. This annual event is rapidly gaining in popularity.
Results
6th Coupe d'Europe de Montgolfiers
1. Crispin Williams, UK
2. Olivier Roux Devillas, France
3. Zoltan Nemeth, Hungary
4. Jean-Francois Rigollet, France
5. Patrick Legendre, France
9th Ladies World Cup
1. Jolanta Matejczuk, Poland
2. Janice Sines, USA
3. Geraldine Boudart, France
4. Marie-Dominique Oudin, France
5. Danielle Racois, France
