10th International GermanCup at Pforzheim

Every two years, the GermanCup for hot air balloons (which has, however, nothing to do with the German Championship) takes place at Pforzheim. And as a native of Pforzheim, it is a point of honour for Matthias to organise a small model balloon meeting along with the event every time.

For the 10th jubilee of the GermanCup, organizers had permitted him to invite 20 model balloon teams, and so they came from all over Germany - some even took the plane, like part of the Balloon Team Knechtel with the heart balloon.

While the model balloons kept the crowd entertained on Friday evening, Matthias had really got his hands full - this year, he had not only organised the model balloon meeting, but also fulfilled himself a very special dream...

...to be creator and choreographer of the popular night glow!

Though it was quite windy and only half of the balloons could be put up (the others took part with their burners only), the crowd witnessed a spectacular show with thrilling music.

On Saturday morning, the weather was perfect for the first flight of the over 40 big balloons, which gently sailed over the town of Pforzheim.

In the afternoon, Basti and Matthias presented the two Penguins.

Where are they? The model balloons seen from the festival venue.

Everybody loved the joyful atmosphere among the model balloonists, even Annette and Waltraud from the event organisation came to us to take a nap in our deck chairs.

Some of the model balloonists were lucky enough to fly with the big balloons and see the whole festival area from above.

Others preferred to stay on the ground and help with the model balloons.

In the evening, winds were low enough to allow Bastian put up his Sheep and let it take a look at the people of Pforzheim.

Bernd's and Werner's model balloons played cat and mouse with each other that evening... we don't really know which one was more afraid of the other, the little cat or the big mouse... ;-)

With cheese you catch mice: Bernd's mouse approaches the Babybel special shape.

After a nice evening flight, all the participants gathered for the ballooning party, where they had lots of fun - some are even said to have had some strange après ski rituals (accompanied by appropriate music)...

Also on Sunday, conditions for the morning flight were just perfect.

The early risers among the model balloon pilots took the chance to have a nice slow flight over the launch field.

And over them, the EnBW airship drew its circles and catched this photograph for us.

More and more spectators came to the launch field - time for Peter Heinzel to present his spectacular Michelin special shape.

At the award ceremony in the afternoon, the winner of the GermanCup was given the beautiful trophy: Thomas Elsner from Langenfeld won, Matthias Borgmeier from Wetzlar became second, Günther Binder from Sonnenbühl third.

In the evening, the special shapes had their final appearance, in the background Bertie Bassett from the UK, in the front the lovers from the Netherlands - and of course our Penguin ;-)

This scene marked the end of a wonderful ballooning weekend - thanks to all the model balloonists who came to visit us!

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