1.
GV PAN From crowd to balloons being inflated (2 shots)
0.13

2.
SV ZOOM OUT From gas jets to balloon
0.19

3.
LV Balloon takes off (2 shots)
0.30

4.
SCU Stockwell flying in balloon & adjusting gas jet
0.37

5.
AV Balloons taking off
0.43

6.
AV In flight (3 shots)
0.53

7.
SCU Stockwell PAN TO gas jets (3 shots)
1.01

8.
SV Stockwell signalling to other balloon
1.05

9.
GV Balloons in flight
1.09

10.
AV Lead balloon landing
1.17

11.
AV Stockwell's balloon lands
1.30

12.
SV Stockwell pulls anchor rope of balloon
1.39


In Southern California, big crowds have found a new sport to get excited about. It's a form of racing devised for hot-air balloons. Powered by propane gas flames, they work on the same principle as the first balloons invented in the Eighteenth-Century.



It's somewhat more sophisticated, with a liquid propane burner hanging above the gondola and under the bag. The hotter the flames, the bag lifts. No hot flames and the air in the bag cools and the balloon descends. Brent Stockwell, of Delay City, California, a flying his red and black California Condor, took NBC Cameraman John Parsons along for some spectacular balloonists-eye views (MUSIC)/



The lead balloonist lifts off. And where he lands, the others must land. Whoever reaches downed lead balloon first wine the race. Stockwell, along with cameraman Parsons came down some distance from the lead balloon, and subsequently finished in third place. And as Parsons later remarked "Its' not the flying, it's the landing that gets you."




Initials SGM/2200 SGM/2220


National Broadcasting Company cameraman John Parsons filmed a race earlier this month at Orange, California. Reporter Jim Brown provides the commentary -- transcribed overleaf with a separate introduction.

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: An expensive sport rapidly gaining popularity in the rich playground of Southern California is hot-air ballooning. Enthusiasts find it's no longer exciting enough jus to fly in balloon. They've now evolved their own ???tem of balloon races.

???pane gas flames are used to fill the balloons with hot air. It's the same principle, though not the same method, used in the earliest balloons to fly in the eighteenth century.

During races, a lead balloon takes off. When it lands it acts as a target for the competitors taking part in the race. The first one landing alongside is the winner.