FAI Press Release
Lausanne, 15 April 1999

Following Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones' recent first successful circumnavigation of the earth in the Breitling Orbiter 3 balloon, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) has announced firm plans for "The Great Balloon Race" - a round-the-world race targeted to start in the winter of 2000/2001.

The exact departure date and time will be determined by world weather patterns, particularly the positions and speeds of the high level winds known as 'jetstreams'. The balloons will take off in the northern hemisphere at a launch site yet to be confirmed. But indications of interest have already been received from venues in North America,

Southern Europe, North Africa, the Gulf and also China. All are under active consideration. A detailed study lasting several months has concluded that the race, although highly challenging in technical and logistical terms, is entirely feasible. Between five and ten balloons are expected to take part in the first race, which will then take place at intervals of about four years.

In conjunction with three major partner organisations, the FAI is putting into place contractual and budgetary arrangements, together with a technical, marketing and public relations infrastructure capable of handling this high-profile, multi-million dollar event. Sponsors are currently being sought and individual balloon sponsorship packages will be available to enable selected competitors to defray their expenses.

The FAI Ballooning Commission has appointed an advisory committee to draw up detailed rules for the Race, including rigorous safety procedures. The basic concept is that the winner will be the first balloon to circumnavigate the globe, crossing the same meridian as the launch site, without approaching too close to the Poles. A target landing place may be declared. In the event that no contestant completes a full circumnavigation, the balloon that flies the furthest will win.  The winner will receive a handsome trophy.

The event will be open to appropriately licensed and experienced crews from any FAI member country, flying balloons of any manufacture that are capable of flying round the world. Because of the limited number of places available and the potential hazards involved, the FAI reserves the right to select and reject participants, on the basis of criteria that will be published.

Several potential competitors, including women, have already indicated their interest in taking part in the Great Balloon Race. A detailed "Notice of Race" giving full particulars is being prepared and will be circulated to suitably qualified persons who notify FAI of their interest in participating. Such persons are invited to write to FAI with a request for preliminary registration. The address is:

Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
Avenue Mon Repos 24
CH-1005 Lausanne
Switzerland

E-mail: balloonrace@fai.org

Further details will be published, as they become available, on the FAI's Great Balloon Race web page at http://www.fai.org/GreatBalloonRace/ and will be circulated to those whose preliminary registration has been accepted.