Hot Air Balloon Enthusiasts Participate In New Sport

Floating above the landscape, colorful hot air balloons took to the Crimean skies.

Hot air balloon enthusiasts gathered to participate in the air biathlon, a new sport gaining steam among balloonists.

Those taking part in the biathlon have to hit targets on the ground with a laser gun, while they approach their marks from the air.

“We’re going to fly – we have targets to hit given by the judge. So coming closer to the target, we take out the gun. And the closer we are to the target the more chances to hit it we’ve got.”

The judge said the race this year was a difficult one as it required good precision and piloting skills due to weather differing from the forecast.

Also, only half of the eleven participants were able to hit their targets.