Swiss balloon team departs Labrador by road after record-breaking odyssey
LABRADOR CITY, N.L. — A Swiss gas balloon team rescued from woods near the Quebec-Labrador border after a record-shattering balloon odyssey have started a new journey back to New Mexico — this time in a motor home with a trailer in tow.
Nicolas Tieche and Laurent Sciboz landed in a remote area near Labrador City Tuesday after an epic 3,666-kilometre transcontinental flight from Albuquerque, earning them top spot in the America’s Challenge distance balloon race.
To claim their prize, the high-flying duo carefully retrieved their massive white balloon and basket from atop an isolated ridge Thursday and embarked on a 48-hour road trip back to Albuquerque.
The pilots are expected to be greeted with accolades for smashing the previous record of 3,215 kilometres by more than 400 kilometres.