July 21st 2024.
Unfortunately, the highly anticipated London balloon regatta has been cancelled for the fourth time due to unfavorable weather conditions. It seems luck is not on our side today as those who were eagerly waiting to witness the spectacular sight of colorful hot air balloons floating over the city will have to wait a little longer.
The Lord Mayor's Hot Air Balloon has not graced the capital's skyline since 2019, with the last two years being cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic and twice before due to bad weather. This year's race was rescheduled to take place on Sunday, after being postponed from its original date two weeks ago. However, the elements have once again conspired against the event, forcing the organizers to make the difficult decision of cancelling it for the safety of all teams on board.
Exclusive Ballooning, the company behind the regatta, took to Instagram to share the unfortunate news this morning. They expressed their gratitude for the support from everyone involved, especially the public who had shown great enthusiasm and came out to watch the flight. They also mentioned that the event will now take place on the following Sunday, as the forecast predicts better weather conditions.
Despite the disappointment, many people had gathered near the launch site in Battersea Park at 5AM, hoping to witness more than 50 balloons take off. As one person expressed in the comments section, it was a "monumental waste of time" made worse by the lack of updates. Another user also shared their disappointment, hoping that the teams were not too exhausted after the long morning.
The balloon regatta is a significant part of the Lord Mayor's Show and aims to raise funds for the Lord Mayor's Appeal, which addresses important societal issues faced by Londoners. This year's event was set to continue the tradition and contribute to the causes of health and inclusivity, among others. The 2019 regatta, which was the first and only time the balloons had taken off, raised approximately £76,000 for these causes.
The cancellation of the balloon regatta for the second time this year alone has left many disappointed. However, the organizers have assured that they are determined to make it happen next Sunday, where we can hope for better weather and a successful flight. Let's keep our fingers crossed and support the Lord Mayor's Appeal.
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