September 2001 Table
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BALLOONIST ENJOYS ABACO
Swiss balloonist Bertrand Piccard spent a week on Abaco during August with his wife Michelle and three daughters as the guests of Joe and Donna Kern of Parrot Point, Sugar Loaf Cay. Daughters Estelle (11), Oriane (8) and Solange (7) declared it the best vacation they ever had with lots of fishing, snorkeling and exploring the beaches of Abaco.
Piccard, a child psychologist, told the Journal that his fame came to him almost accidentally. As an amateur balloonist he arrived at a dinner for 400 balloonists after 399 had already been seated and found himself next to a Belgian. After some conversation the Belgian said that Bertrand might very well be the perfect partner for a projected trans-Atlantic race. The French sponsors were not excited about a Belgian/Swiss team but in the end the plans went forward and Bertrand was part of the winning team. This established Bertrand as a premier balloonist and eventually led to his flight into history.
Bertrand Piccard made the first non-stop circumnavigation of the earth in the Breitling Orbiter 3, along with Brian Jones of England, in March 1999. The two dedicated their adventure to the world's children and formed the Winds of Hope Foundation with the million Swiss francs they were awarded by Budweiser. The foundation assists in combating disregarded children's ailments and diseases, such as noma.
September 2001 Table
of Contents
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