In 2024, 24 teams representing twelve nations took part in this legendary race. Never before seen, departing from Münster in Germany, for the Gordon-Bennett Aeronautical Cup.
Inaugurated in 1906, it is the oldest aeronautical race in the world. The rule is simple: go as far as possible with a gas balloon. The record peaks at more than 90 hours in the air.
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September 5, 2025
In 2024, a Moselle crew led by Guillaume Jouaville, 37 years old, and his friend Christophe Houver, 49 years old, finished in 4th place.e place. So leaving northern Germany, he traveled 2,084 km in 64 hours to Portugal. The duo traveled just 27 kilometers less than the Austrian winners who managed to land at Cape Saint-Vincent.
The 68th edition of the Gordon Bennett Aeronautical Cup will start from Metz on September 5, 2025. Because the tradition is to start from the country of those who won two years earlier. In 2023, taking off from Albuquerque (New Mexico – United States), the French crew Eric Decellieres – Benoit Havret covered the distance of 2,661.40 km in 85 hours 49 minutes.
After Thionville in 2004 and Nancy in 2013, Metz applied to organize the big departure. The takeoff of each balloon will be from a podium to the sound of the national anthem. A big party which should attract a large audience. Because balloon travel is still a dream!
The Gordon-Bennett is now validated by the International Aeronautical Federation.
