The Bel1 and Fin1 teams are in a private hotel of the Algerian Government. Everything seems OK and there is a great protection from the government. (5 policemen on and around the hotel room of Luc and Ronny). Today the balloons are on the news all over Algeria in prime time. Also in Belgium reporters have heard the news about the Belgian Gordon Bennett competitors (released to Belga by Eddy Allcock, with our thanks). This resulted in massive visits to our website that was out of order for some time. But that also we could fix overnight with help from Luc in Algeria.

The pilots found a solution to recharge their cell phones so we have re-established contact at about 18:00 hr this afternoon. The men packed the unharmed balloons this afternoon, so they are ready for transport. Normally transport will be arranged by AUT1 with lots of help from our Ambassadors. Tomorrow the police will escort the teams to Algiers, where they will try to catch a ferry to Marseille. Our chasing team was sent from sunny Alicante back to Marseille today. The 3 teams are well and safe and receive lots of help from all authorities. We want to thank you to everybody who helped us or tried to help us!    

Meanwhile the team USA2 Sullivan/White landed in Portugal but some other teams are still flying and starting their 4^th night in the air to try to win this fantastic race! We presume that all the balloons will land tomorrow morning and then we will know the winner of this tremendous and thrilling 53th coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2009. But we can say it already now: it was a difficult race and all the teams where FANTASTIC.

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