Most balloons crossing the English Channel: 50 hot air balloons set world record (Video)
CALAIS, France -- A 50-strong fleet of hot air balloons journeyed over the English Channel - one of the busiest waterways in the world - within four hours of setting off , setting the world record for the Most hot air balloons crossing the English Channel.
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The Guinness world record for the longest duration flight by helium balloons is 13 hr 36 min 57 seconds and was achieved by Jonathan Trappe (United States) in The Spirit Cluster (totalling 57 balloons) who flew over North Carolina, United States
Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the Largest banner flown by balloons: it measured 107 m (351 ft) in length and 53 m (173 ft 10 in) in width and was made by Fiesta Kuwait co. (Kuwait).
'I'm absolutely elated we hae done it,' said organiser Ian Sharpe, 51, of Caterham in Surrey.
'It's the culmination of 14 months of hard work that has paid off.'
Fifty-one hot air baloons set off for France from Wootton, Kent - but a technical fault halted one and 50 made it to Calais.
But for those adventurers that made it, Champagne corks were popped in celebration on the French side.
The world record flight was the idea of retired policeman Ian Sharpe, 51 - who took up the sport eight years ago. (enlarge photo)
The BBC said balloon crews from Germany and Italy traveled to England for the flight.
Among the fleet was a 61ft dragon-shaped balloon, deemed to be the largest of its kind and the only hot air balloon in the UK with a glass-bottomed basket.
Sponsorship from the bid will go to three charities, including the RNLI, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and the Halow Project, which supports young people with learning disabilities.
world - within four hours of setting off , setting the world record for the 
