Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2010 Review
Pictures: Ballooning Pictures - Matt Cleaves
This years press launch was held at College Green in the centre of Bristol. The balloons that were there include: Astra (G-OSAT), ABC Flights (G-BYHU), Milka (OE-AZM), David Hathaway (G-BZFD), Visit Bristol (G-CBHW), University of Bristol (G-CDWD), Bidding Nation England (G-WCUP), King Sturge (G-CGOH), Cameron Balloons and HSBC (G-DUBI). The Bristol Belle (G-AVTL) tethered.
The Thursday special shapes launch was a special shape tether that included the following special shape balloons: Palletways Dragon G-PLLT and George White Superbike G-CGJV operated by Lindstrand, Jaguar Car G-OXKB, Churchill G-CDOG and the Monster G-MSTR operated by the Airship & Balloon Company, Stowells Wine Box G-STOW operated by Flying Enterprises and Exclusive Ballooning's Foamy Gnome G-NOMZ and Blue Square G-CFXI. Astra G-OSAT, G-BULB and the famous Bristol Belle G-AVTL also tethered. Bristol Balloons (G-CCSA) was lead out ready to go for it, but in the end they decided against flying.
The Friday AM Launch went ahead and 88 balloons lifted in total. The Palletways Dragon and the Cockerel flew from this launch. This left George White, Blue Square Betting, Churchill, the Monster and Rowntrees Gnome tethered. The Jaguar Car also attempted to tether, but in the end it didn't.
Friday PM was cancelled and so were the 2 mass ascents on Saturday. Balloons that tethered on Saturday afternoon were there Co-operative G-CFSL, Milka OE-AZM, Palletways G-WAYS, Lindstrand, G-CBMK, G-BPHU and G-CGOH. The night glow went ahead though.
All flights throughout Saturday were cancelled due to the weather.
Sunday morning was also bad weather as visibility was poor, so it was cancelled. Balloons that tethered in the arena were: Taittinger G-CEKS operated by Phoenix Balloons, G-STAV, Foamy Gnome G-NOMZ, G-KEWT, Palletways G-WAYS, Sapper G-ENGR, King Sturge G-CGOH and a Lindstrand Balloons hopper (G-BVRL).
The final launch of 2010, Sunday PM, went ahead and Lindstrand even flew the Palletways Dragon, which was the only shape to launch. It was a nice way to end.
It was a disappointing fiesta with only 2 launches going ahead.
