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BRITISH BALLOONIST DAVID HEMPLEMAN-ADAMS LAUNCHES SUCCESSFULLY IN BANK OF IRELAND ATLANTIC CHALLENGER AND HEADS NORTH OVER U.S MAINLAND

28-Jun-03


    BANK OF IRELAND ATLANTIC CHALLENGE 2003
    In association with
    THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES


    Pittsburgh, USA, June 27, 2003    - British balloonist David Hempleman-Adams and Bank of Ireland Atlantic Challenger 2003 launched successfully tonight at 10:16pm Eastern Standard Time (3:16am British Summer Time, June 28) from Baseball Park, Bruceton Road, Pleasant Hills, two miles from Allegheny County Airport, Pittsburgh. The Bank of Ireland Flight Control Centre in Bristol, UK, confirmed that the launch had gone according to plan and without a hitch. Dr. Dave Owen, the Flight Director said "the launch went well and we expect the Bank of Ireland Atlantic Challenger to fly north for about two days over the US mainland before heading out over the Atlantic. This gives David a valuable opportunity to sort out any problems before leaving the safety net of land below".

    David Hempleman-Adams was in good spirits and had spent several hours making final preparations with the team before the launch. The launch was witnessed by the US local and national media as well as media from the UK. Launch master Bert Padelt at the launch site said "the weather conditions at the surface were good enough to allow the launch to take place on schedule".

    This record breaking attempt to break the solo world distance record for the AM-08 Roziere balloon class should take about seven days. David Hempleman-Adams will need all his mental and physical reserves to deal with the challenges of sleep deprivation, sub-zero temperatures, and the potential for danger as he handles the balloon over the Atlantic alone in a wicker basket.

    For further information:
    Alex Foley or Anna Thomsen
    Tel: +44 (0)20 7352 3144
    M: +44 (0)7976 713478
    Email:alex@alexfoleypr.com

    Nicky Webster
    M: +44 (0)7742 665 428
    Email:nicky@coldclimates.co.uk

    Bank of Ireland
    Miriam O'Connor
    Tel: (01) 6043677
    M: (087) 2903167

    Mike Gutsell
    Bank of Ireland
    Bristol, UK
    Tel: +44 (0)117 9437199

    Launch team contact numbers:
    +1 412 466 6551/2/3

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