Unfavorable weather conditions at the start of the balloon meeting: there is hope for the second half of the Montgolfiade

Created: 01/28/2022, 13:46

By: Gabi Werner

Optimistic despite snow and wind: organizer Peter Rie (left) and Wiesseer mayor Robert Kühn are looking forward to the Montgolfiade, which this year is only taking place on a small scale and without a supporting program.

© Thomas Plettenberg

Shortly before the start of the Montgolfiade at Tegernsee, the weather changed: snow and wind make it unlikely that balloons will be launched in the near future.

The hope lies in the second half of the week.

Bad Wiessee

– It's already bitter for the organiser: For four days last week there was the most beautiful ballooning weather - but shortly before the start of the Montgolfiade this weekend (January 29th/30th) the turnaround came with snow and wind.

"For the first few days until the middle of the week, I don't see any great chances for a balloon launch," explained the event manager of Tegernseer Tal Tourismus GmbH (TTT), Peter Rie, on Friday morning (January 28).

The responsible meteorologist and the launch manager have the last word, but the general weather situation, Rie sighs, "doesn't seem to be kind to us".

Should a time window open up in which balloon launches are possible, the opportunity will of course be taken.

Otherwise, Rie's hopes lie in the second half of the Montgolfiade: the balloon meeting will last until Sunday, February 6th, so there's still plenty of room to breathe.

Montgolfiade: Two balloon teams had to cancel because of Corona

Regardless of the weather, 16 hot-air balloon teams are expected at Tegernsee on Saturday (January 29).

18 pilots were originally registered - "but two teams had to cancel because of Corona," reports Rie.

Theoretically, the first official balloon launches would have been scheduled for this Sunday.

The aim is, depending on the weather and thermals, to bring the imposing giants into the air every morning.

The main starting point is the old casino site in Bad Wiessee.

Mayor Kühn: The trend is towards small, fine events

For Wiesseer Rathaus boss Robert Kühn it is the first Montgolfiade that he witnesses as mayor.

He is proud that the meeting of the hot air balloonists is taking place in his community, says Kühn.

In the pre-Corona times, the Montgolfiade was a mega event with thousands of spectators.

The fact that it is being held this year as a pure balloon sport event without a supporting program could already be a pointer to the future.

"We'll see where we want to go," says Kühn.

But the trend is towards small, fine events.

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