Every two years for three days, dozens of balloons take to the skies for the European Hot Air Balloon Cup. This year's competition in France's western Charente region has brought together 48 teams, with 14 different nations represented. One the first day of the competition, the organisers check weather conditions with a small balloon and calculate the strength and direction of the wind. Once this is validated, the director can start the competition. Among the many pilots here you'll find Capucine de Sade, one of the top three pilots in France who is attending the event for the sixth time.

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