27th International Balloon Meet

June 11–17 2023

The 27th International Balloon Meet took place in Velikiye Luki on June 11–17, 2023. The event brought together about 40 pilots from across Russia, as well as from Belarus and Kazakhstan. As per tradition, the opening ceremony was held on June 12 (Russia Day). In honor of the state holiday, a giant Russian tricolor was carried into the sky by air balloons.

Over the course of the week, the pilots were performing various sports tasks, competing for the winner's title at the 28th Russian Hot Air Balloon Championship. The 2nd Hot Air Balloon Championship of the Pskov Region (among the pilots representing the region), as well as competitions for the Friendship Cup, the Velikiye Luki Cup and the Cup of St. Princess Olga among female pilots were also held as part of this year's International Balloon Meet.

Outside of the sports program, the pilots could have a shot for the prize at the key grab race, where they were to drop a weighted marker from a height into a basket installed on a catamaran. Although this task is seemingly easy, it requires strong flying skills: pilots need to determine the correct starting point and their path in the air, as well as the direction of the wind and the flying height.

The closing and award ceremony for the International Balloon Meet was held on June 17. For the second year in a row, the title of Russian Air Balloon Champion was taken by Dmitry Zhokhov from Tula.

The International Balloon Meet in Velikiye Luki was organized by the Government of the Pskov Region, the Administration of Velikiye Luki and the Balloon Federation of the Pskov Region. Gazprom has been the general sponsor of the event since 2011.