Race in the sky: German hot air balloon championship begins

The Montgolfiade 2021 could not take place due to Corona, but now the balloonists on Tegernsee are holding the German championship.

Bad Wiessee

- your balloons are slim and manoeuvrable, after all, it's not about floating sedately in the blue sky.

The 28 participants in the German Hot Air Balloon Championship compete for points.

There are five tasks to be mastered; speed, skill and precision are required.

Today, Wednesday, the teams register at the Hotel Zur Post in Wiesse, where the competition office is located.

The championship itself is supposed to start tomorrow, Thursday and last until Sunday, October 10th.

The championship itself is supposed to start on Thursday and last until Sunday, October 10th.

Two starts a day, five races

But while the Montgolfiade is a colorful spectacle with passenger rides and a colorful supporting program, the German Championship is all about the athletic competition of the best balloonists.

The start is twice a day, in the morning at 7.30 a.m. and in the afternoon around 4 p.m.

The management team determines the tasks depending on the weather conditions and possibilities.

In addition to the tried and tested areas on the Wiesseer Seepromenade and the Rottacher Oswaldwiese, the airfield in Warngau also serves as the launch site for the first time.

“This simply gives us more options,” explains Rie.

It is not uncommon for clouds to hang over the Tegernsee valley, while a few kilometers further in Warngau there is an unobstructed view: "At Wallberg it is often the case."

New starting point in Warngau

In addition, according to Rie, Warngau offers a paved take-off area with the runway, which is a huge advantage in wet weather.

The management team will announce at the daily briefing when which starting place will be used.

The latest information is available online at www.tegernsee.com/sportballon - also for the audience.

In view of the pandemic, the TTT asks onlookers not to gather at the launch sites.

“The balloons in the air can be seen very well in the whole of the Tegernsee valley,” explains Rie.