The races of the 32nd International Epiphany Meeting of Mondovì were won by pilot “Kennel Karlstrom (UK)” leader of the skies” on board” of the “Virgin” hot air balloon. The award ceremony took place on the evening of Monday 6th January, at the end of the traditional gala dinner among the pilots which closes the event.
Andrew Holly (UK), the pilot who led the special-shaped balloon “Tall Steve” (the penguin – who, among other things, took off from the historic centre of Mondovì Piazza) reached the second position. In third place, the Italian Marco Giomi (from Capannori). In 4th place, and first among the Mondovì drivers, Giorgio Bogliaccino; behind him, 5th place, the president of the Mondovì Aeroclub Mongolfiere Gianfranco Curti.
Two special awards were then awarded, both based on the results obtained in the competitions that targeted the Belvedere gardens of Mondovì Piazza at the foot of the Civic Tower. This year there have been three races “at the Tower”: in fact, every morning, one of the targets was placed there!
The first special recognition is the traditional “Memorial Bongioanni Trophy” (offered by the Monregalese Edmondo Bongioanni in memory of the parents), awarded to the pilot who obtained the best single overall result in the 3 tasks: the Monregalese Giovanni “John” Aimo.
Aimo’s balloon was also the protagonist of a very special flight, on the afternoon of Saturday 4th January: his “air-chair-duo”, a hot air balloon without a basket but with a seat for disabled pilots, took off from the historic center of Piazza Maggiore bringing with him the athlete Francesco Santamaria, in collaboration with the “Discesaliberi” Association which, in a few days, will work on the organization of the Italian stage of the Paralympic Alpine Skiing World Cup in Prato Nevoso.
The second is a recognition offered by “Oreficeria Canale” of Mondovì, awarded to the pilot who managed to reach the target in all three races on the Piazza and who obtained the best sum of results: the prize went to Kenneth Karlstrom, which brings home two trophies.
