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N.M. balloon festival sets world record

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This NASA image released on October 7, 2010 shows the nose of an inflatable half-scale model of a NASA F/A-18 in front of the NASA Aeronautics exhibit points skyward as a host of hot-air balloons ascend during the 2010 International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, N.M. UPI/Jay Levine/NASA 
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Published: Oct. 2, 2011 at 2:10 PM

ALBUQUERQUE, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- The 40th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico said it set a world record Saturday by launching 345 hot air balloons into the sky in 1 hour.

The annual October balloon festival is petitioning to have the number added to the Guinness World Records, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Inc. said in a release Saturday.

"There's no better way to celebrate the 40th Balloon Fiesta than breaking a world record on our opening day," said John Sena, president of the board for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. "It was a beautiful day and a signature moment for the world's premier balloon event."

The current record is held by the 12th Lorraine World Air Balloon Festival in Chambley-Bussieres, France, which launched 343 balloons earlier this year.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world, held the record in 2000 by launching 329 balloons in 1 hour.

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