Poland Brings Strong History Into the Race
Three Polish teams joined the competition this time, including Mateusz Rękas, who already has a win under his belt from 2018. In total, twenty-seven crews representing 13 countries took off on Friday night, kicking off what is widely regarded as the oldest gas-balloon race of its kind still running today. The event can stretch on for up to 100 hours, depending on how the winds cooperate.

Separately, twenty-six teams from 12 countries are also competing for the same prize, the greatest straight-line distance covered from the launch site. Poland's connection to this race runs deep. The country has claimed victory six times over the decades, including an impressive streak of three consecutive wins between 1933 and 1935.

Old Dangers Resurface Near Russia's Border
This year's flight path isn't without serious concerns. Pilots are being extra cautious about accidentally drifting into Russian or Belarusian airspace, a risk made worse by reports of GPS jamming and signal spoofing believed to be linked to Russia's Kaliningrad exclave. It's not just a theoretical worry either. Back in 1995, a Belarusian military helicopter shot down a balloon that had strayed into its airspace, killing two American pilots, Alan Fraenckel and John Stuart-Jervis. That tragedy still lingers decades later.

Despite the risks, crews are expected to stay airborne well into the weekend, chasing favorable winds that could carry them further north and closer to a winning distance.