9th International GermanCup at Pforzheim

In 2006, the city of Pforzheim witnessed the 10th ballooning event overall: 20 years ago, the event series had started with the 1st EuropaCup of Hot Air Balloons.

And it was exactly that EuropaCup, wich fascinated six-year-old Matthias in such a way that the colourful balloons have become an indispensable part of his life.

This anniversary was celebrated in style on Friday morning with a wonderful balloon flight from the launch field over the city of Pforzheim right to Ettlingen south of Karlsruhe.

Thanks to Martin Binder and Hardy Neuffer for the lift! :)

On Friday afternoon, the modell balloonists arrived. And as a friendly balloon team just had inflated an old envelope for the audience to walk through it, a new idea was born: Ballooning in a balloon! Roger Wilhelm dared the start with the D-OHEXE balloon.

Model balloons for the public: Many special shapes from near and far were there at Pforzheim.

Support at the night glow on Friday evening: Matthias and his fellow student Rainer with the Penguin.

Also on Saturday, the model balloons fascinated old and young spectators. Altogether, 16 model balloon teams from all over Germany had come to join the event.

You cannot start early enough: Patrick, son of Andrea and Jan Gloß, both balloon pilots from Kieselbronn near Pforzheim, helps packing the penguin.

The launch periods of the big balloons were again witnessed by thousands of spectators.

The Sunday morning flight unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the weather, but the balloon teams and organisers were quite satisfied with the event nevertheless.

The trophy of the big balloons won Sven Göhler from Stadecken-Elsheim, just as in the years 2002 and 2004.

Gradually, something should be done that he gets some more competition at the 10th GermanCup in 2008... ;-)

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