Ballooning Competition

The Competition

Balloon racing is somewhat of a misnomer when it comes to describing a hot-air ballooning competition. These stately machines rarely travel faster than 16km/h and in a competition, it must be remembered that all of them are moving at more or less the same speed, borne along by the wind.

Ballooning Competition - Real competition is actually a test of navigational skills, testing a pilot's ability against his fellow pilots and his knowledge of the atmospheric conditions. The test of these skills requires accuracy and is dependent on a pilot's ability to manoeuvre his or her balloon close to a predetermined target.A maximum of 1000 points are awarded per scheduled Task. Penalty points may be assessed, however, for rule infractions. Thus, the closest marker does not always belong to the winner of the Task.

Hare and Hounds

The Hare and Hounds resembles an English hunt. The HARE, a non-competitive balloon is launched 10-15 minutes before the competing HOUNDS are given permission to take off. The HARE manoeuvres as he wishes and may try to outwit the HOUNDS with change in altitudes, which sends him in different directions. The HOUNDS don't have to follow his flight pattern, but must finally drop a weighted-marker as close to the HARE's landing site as possible, before landing themselves.

Judge Declared Goal

The target is selected by the Balloon Meister either before or during the actual competition. The large red target "X" is highly visible from the air. Each pilot has a weighted-marker which he throws from his balloon, attempting to hit the centre of the "X".

Race to a Line

RACE TO A LINE, is the one exception to standard task items because speed is essential to win. Balloons are timed to a finish line. The first balloon to cross the line is declared the winner. Speed may be increased by climbing to higher altitudes but wind currents may not be in the right direction, which once again, challenges the pilot's navigational ability.

Slow Race to a Line

Same as above, except the pilot who crosses the lines lowest is the winner. We may, however, for fun and fiesta add "TREASURE HUNT" and "KEY GRAB" items to the above Tasks.