Congratulations to Paul Gibbs (1981) who has won the National Hot Air Balloon Championships
for the third time. The Championships, held from 9-13 July in the Victorian town of Benalla, attracted
balloonists from all over Australia.

Using wind direction and speed at different altitudes pilots attempt to drop a coloured marker
on selected targets, and observers measure and record the results for every sequence
of tasks. Each balloon is fitted with a GPS to track its route.

Paul with partner Maaike Bierma

Paul attempts to capture a large key attached to a post whilst in flight. He comes close in his
special long, narrow competition balloon, but not close enough to win this traditional event
held on the last day of competition