Most ascents in a tethered balloon hopper in one hour

The most ascents in a tethered balloon hopper in one hour is 68 and was achieved by Joanna Bailey (UK) in Bristol, Avon, UK, on 7 August 2026.

Joanna completed 68 tethered hopper balloon ascents at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Joanna had an ambition to achieve this record after she survived a series of life-threatening emergency bowel operations and spent approximately two months in hospital. The surgery left her with a permanent ileostomy, which she named Paloma.

She created Paloma's Big Lift Off Challenge not only to attempt a new world record, but also to raise awareness of life with a stoma. Her goal was to encourage people facing major illness, disability, trauma or loss of confidence to believe that adventure and new challenges can still be possible.