Hello people! Take a look at Roman Hugi. He is one of the leading contemporary balloon pilots, representing Switzerland and currently ranked 6th in the FAI world ranking. His adventure with ballooning began very early – he grew up the son of a passionate balloonist, which naturally influenced his interests and future career. His fascination with ballooning has been with him since childhood, and his formal step towards professionalism came when he obtained his pilot license in 2010.
From that moment on, Hugi consistently developed his skills, competing in numerous competitions both nationally and internationally. His talent and determination quickly began to pay off, earning him high rankings. A particularly significant element of his career is his appearances at the World Championships. He made his debut in 2014 in Brazil, finishing 33rd. Just two years later, at a competition in Japan, he achieved an outstanding 5th place. In 2018, in Austria, he improved this result, finishing 4th. Subsequent editions brought him world-class finishes: 15th place in Slovenia in 2022 and 19th place in Hungary in 2024.
In parallel to his international competitions, Hugi also enjoyed success on the European stage. He participated in European Championships, including those in Włocławek (2013), Debrecen (2015), and Brissac (2017), where he consistently demonstrated a high level of athleticism. His greatest achievement in this category was winning the European Championship title in 2021. He also has victories in prestigious competitions such as the Mallorca Balloons Trophy (2019) and the 24th Thüringer Montgolfiade (2020), as well as numerous victories and podium finishes in competitions held in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Hungary.
One of the key elements of Roman Hugi's success is his approach to teamwork. He emphasizes that ballooning is not just about pilot skill, but also about close cooperation with the ground crew. He describes each flight as "a three-dimensional game of chess with the forces of nature," where the outcome is determined by tactics, concentration, and excellent coordination of the entire team. This approach not only allows Hugi to achieve outstanding results but also builds lasting relationships and a professional base that allows him to remain among the world's leading experts.
