Hot air balloons take flight over Austria for world championship

Competitors approach a target during the FAI World Hot Air Balloon Championship near Gross-Siegharts, Austria on Monday, August 20. (Reuters)

Rene Erni of Switzerland drops a marker during the FAI World Hot Air Balloon Championship near Gross-Siegharts, Austria on Monday, August 20. (Reuters)

Competitors take part in the FAI World Hot Air Balloon Championship near Gross-Siegharts, Austria on Monday, August 20. (Reuters)

Judges watch competitors approach a target during the FAI World Hot Air Balloon Championship near Gross-Siegharts, Austria on Monday, August 20. (Reuters)

• Around 100 teams from more than 38 countries are taking part in the biennial event
• Competitive ballooning test pilots’ skills in distance, speed and navigational precision

GROSS-SIEGHARTS, Austria: The northern Austrian sky was filled with colorful hot air balloons early on Monday morning as the sport’s world championship sailed into view.
Around 100 teams from more than 38 countries are taking part in the biennial event, which is being held in Gross-Siegharts near the Czech border.
Competitive ballooning test pilots’ skills in distance, speed and navigational precision, according to the World Air Sports Federation that oversees the sport.
Each flight is scheduled for 5am (0300 GMT) and 5pm when light winds usually allow for safer take off and landings. The event runs until Friday.