Enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the vibrant fleet gliding over England’s capital city will have to exercise patience yet again.
The prestigious Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon event has not graced London’s skyline since 2019, having been twice scrapped due to the pandemic and twice more due to inclement weather.
This year’s eagerly awaited race was rescheduled for Sunday after being postponed from its original date two weeks ago. However, once again, nature intervened.
Exclusive Ballooning, the team behind the regatta, announced on Instagram today: ‘Unfortunately, the anticipated change in wind direction did not occur, leading us to make the tough call to cancel today’s flight to ensure the safety of all participating teams.’
They expressed gratitude for the support received, especially from the public who engaged with them and gathered to witness the event.
The organizers revealed that a new date has been set for the following Sunday, promising clearer skies and calmer breezes according to the forecast.
Despite the disappointment, many who had gathered near the launch site in Battersea Park to witness over 50 balloons ascending at 5AM expressed their dismay at the news.
One commenter expressed their frustration, stating, ‘A colossal waste of time worsened by the complete lack of updates. Given the event’s consistent last-minute cancellations since 2019, one should have been more cautious.’
Another participant lamented, ‘Once again, the unpredictable British weather prevails. It’s truly disappointing; let’s hope for better luck next weekend. Wishing the teams a swift recovery after what must have been a long morning.’
Promoted as ‘the official ballooning event of The City of London’ and an ‘aerial extension of the historic Lord Mayor’s Show’, the regatta aims to generate funds for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, addressing critical societal challenges facing Londoners.
The 2019 regatta raised approximately £76,000 towards causes such as healthcare and inclusivity, marking the sole occasion the balloons have successfully soared since inception.
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