suggested that the balloon may have ditched in the sea or have been destroyed by lightning. Debris was found on October 1 by search crews but race control determined that it was not from the missing balloon. Despite this, organizers later stated that the final calculated rate of descent of the balloon had been about , and that the team's survival was "unlikely". The search for the missing pair was called off on October 4. The balloon's cabin containing the bodies was recovered by an Italian fishing boat on December 6. Official winners Key Record breaking flights are denoted by the following: See also Gordon Bennett Cup in auto racing Hot air balloon festivals Notes The competition was not held from 1914 to 1919 as a result of World War I, not held in 1931, nor from 1939 to 1982. Canceled as a result of the outbreak of World War II. Canceled due to bad weather. References Further reading Castellani, Antonio; I cavalieri del cielo. Storia della Gordon Bennett Balloon Cup, Firenze, LoGisma, 2013 . External links Gordon Bennett Cup official website FAI Air racing Hot air balloon festivals Recurring sporting events established in 1906 Bennett family Newspaper events Gordon Bennett Cup 1906 establishments in France Ballooning competitions