By : Claude Sauber

The Hot Air Balloon European Championships from 3^rd to 13^th August 2000

More than a Major Sporting Event From 3rd to 13th August, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg will be hosting the first major hot air balloon meet of the new millennium. A splendid sporting event for sure, but one which has far more to offer than top-class sport alone.

Thanks to an extremely varied and interesting supporting programme, the 12th European Championships will be a national, even international festival, with breath-taking attractions for young and old alike.

"A sporting event of international standing" The 12th European Championship for Hot Air Balloons, organised by the "Commune Aérostatique du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg", has already, in its preliminary stages, shown itself to be a first-class sporting event: competition entries have been received from 83 of the best hot air balloon pilots from 25 European countries.

With this considerable field, the competitions promise to be most exciting. It is not the first time that the international elite of hot air balloon pilots have competed in Luxembourg for such a sought-after trophy. Back in 1982, the "Commune Aérostatique" organised the European Championships for Hot Air Balloons, and then in 1988 and 1993 the World Championships. The flawless organisation of those events brought wide acclaim, and the candidature of Luxembourg, supported by the "Fédération Aéronautique Luxembourgeoise", met with broad approval from the Balloon Committee of the "Fédération Aéronautique Internationale". When, three years ago, Meysembourg/Larochette was selected as the venue for the first European Championships of the new millennium, this signified the highest recognition, for the hot air balloon scene in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg which, in relation to its size, is extremely dynamic, well experienced and rich in tradition, for its 25 years of endeavour to bring ballooning to the attention of the public both as a sport and as a leisure activity. This year the "Commune Aérostatique" has a second reason to celebrate: its success story began with the launch of the first hot air balloon, the "Feierwôn", 25 years ago.

"A festival with a breath-taking supporting programme" From the very beginning, the organisers of the European Championships 2000 wanted to make it a spirited festival. Thanks to the spontaneous pledges of some 250 voluntary helpers and numerous sponsors who have already declared their readiness to support the venture financially and logistically, it has been possible to prepare a richly varied and attractive supporting programme.

Alongside the competitions themselves, there will be attractions for young and old alike, both in Meysembourg and in the City of Luxembourg. The venue is located a mere 20 kilometres from the Capital, in the grounds of Meysembourg Castle, in one of the most charming natural landscapes in the Grand Duchy. There, in a huge tented village, various restaurants, café terraces, concert stages and other places of entertainment will provide diversions aplenty. Uninterrupted festivity will be the order of the day on the weekends of 4th, 5th, 6th and 11th, 12th, 13th August. The grand opening ceremony on 5th August in Meysembourg will then ring in the official launch of the 12th European Championships. During the "Night of Balloons", on 9th August in the City of Luxembourg, balloon fans and indeed everybody will be in for a great treat: a Night Glow against the wonderful backdrop of the Capital's most romantic corners, the fortress walls, the Pétrusse Valley and the lower suburbs will surely be an unforgettable experience for those who see it. The international festival will take its apotheose on August 12th, with a Night Glow with some 120 balloons in Meysembourg.

A jovial mascot, in the form of a cuddly blue balloon, named "Balloo", will sympathetically promote these European Championships.Every morning and evening during the Championships some 120 balloons will lift off into the skies above Meysembourg, among them some with spectacular special shapes.

There will also be regular flights by balloon and helicopter. The 12th European Championships for Hot Air Balloons will certainly be extremely successful with the public, carrying the name of Luxembourg all over the world.

"Bertrand Piccard in Luxembourg" A very special guest will be honouring the European Championships with his presence, namely Bertrand Piccard, who last year made a successful non-stop circumnavigation of the world on board Breitling Orbiter III. He will be introducing his "Winds of Hope" foundation, making special flights in his balloon of the same name.