On tuesday 20th May at the Club de la Presse in Metz, the Organizing Committee held a press conference to present the 68th edition of this legendary gas balloon race: the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett, FAI long distance world championship in gas balloon.
Cathy Picard, Chairwoman of the Organizing Committee presented the program for the event and its highlights, including the opening ceremony at the Museum of Modern Arts Pompidou in Metz, the launch day from Frescaty-Metz on September 5, including Airships flying over the launch field , the departure of the “charlières” in competition and a selected number flying off competition, followed by a night glow of hot-air balloons, a drones show and a free concert by the “Runners”.
The closing ceremony will take place at Metz City Hall on saturday 13th september.
Éric Décellière, current Chairman of the Fédération Française d’Aérostation (FFA), recounted the history of the race created in 1906. Benoit Havret, 2nd pilot of the team FRA 2 ,associated with Éric, recalled their victory in 2023 launching from Albuquerque ( New Mexico USA) and landing near Jacksonville (North Carolina, USA) after flying 2661.4 km in 85 hours 43. According to tradition, it was this victory that enabled France to organize this 68th edition.
Benoit Pelard, Event Director and representative of the Fédération Internationale d’Aérostation (CIA) , gave a report on the progress of the organization of the event, which will feature 24 teams competiting and 3 “fiesta ” from 11 nationalities. He said that about 5,000 spectators are expected on the evening of September 5.
Christophe Houver and Guillaume Jouaville, pilots from the team FRA1, one of France’s 3 balloons engaged in the race, both from Metz and ending up 4th in 2024, explained the way they are preparing for their participation, and underlined the importance of their race HQ, made up of a team of 8 people.
François Grosdidier, President of the Eurometropole and Mayor of Metz, expressed his delight to be able to welcome this international event to Metz.
Finally, a large number of journalists from the written, televised and spoken press, most of them novices in the sport of gas ballooning, were able to question the conference holders on many issues.
Following on from Thionville in 2004, Nancy in 2013 and Metz this year, Lorraine has now won the opportunity to stage the race. Metz, being the home town of François Pilatre de Rozier, the first man to fly gas has a very strong historical link with ballooning. Since 1906, only 10 French cities have hosted the race.
Daniel PAYNTAR, 20 May 2025
