Château-D'Oex 2007
Halfway between Gruyère and Gstaad at an altitude of 1,000 metres, Château-D'Oex is the principal town of the Pays-d'Enhaut and is reputed to be an ideal destination for all those seeking peace and relaxation through sport.
The 29th International Balloon Festival held between 20th and 28th January saw approximately 100 balloons attend with Pilots travelling from twenty countries to attend the event.
As part of its 29th International Balloon Festival, and for the sixth consecutive year, what has now become a the traditional flight in honour of the twinned towns of Bristol (UK), Sint-Niklaas (Belgium), Romorantin (Loire, France) and Château-D'Oex took place.
© Image copyright Château-D'Oex
Linked by a symbolic ribbon bearing the four national flags, the four twinned
balloons took off together and tried to keep their formation for as long as
possible. The other balloons flying behind them.
The ties of friendship established
between the four towns have grown with time, resulting in a marked increase in
both tourist and political exchanges that have been beneficial to these
different European regions.
In addition the event saw Pilot Pauline Baker gain three female ballooning records during which she probably went through every pilot’s worst nightmares on those flights including a Velcro rip panel opening in flight causing an emergency landing on a road, severe turbulence that badly distorted the envelope and then ran out of fuel landing in trees in full view of the Chateau D’Oex launch field!
Credit to cloudhoppers.org for the details on Pauline Baker records.
For more details of this years event and photographs see the Château-D'Oex website