ALBUQUERQUE: A heli­um-filled balloon piloted by an American and a Russian landed safely off the coast of Mexico early on Saturday after an audacious, nearly trip across the Pacific Ocean that shattered two long-standing records for ballooning.

The pilots landed 6 kms offshore in Baja California about 300 miles north of the popular beach destination of Cabo San Lucas, greeted by a team of balloon enthusiasts who assisted with the landing.

The pilots came in low and dropped thick trailing ropes into the ocean to help slow the balloon before setting down in a controlled water landing. Mission Control in Albuquerque was packed with balloon team members and the pilots’ families, as all eyes focused on a giant screen showing a map of the coast and the balloon’s location as it descended.

They exchanged hugs and smiled with relief after it touched down. “We’re really pleased with the distance numbers we have here and very pleased with the duration numbers,” said Steve Shope, mission control director.

Published in Dawn February 1st, 2015

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