Marie, a pastry chef, completed a tandem skydive from a hot air balloon over the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel in ideal weather conditions. Her instructor Karim confirmed she was the first passenger to make a tandem jump from a hot air balloon. The flight took off at 5:00 a.m. with clear skies and no wind.
Hervé Moine, general director of Normandie Montgolfière based in Le Grand Celland in Manche, piloted the balloon. The vessel was inflated with 10,000 cubic meters of hot air and carried 15 passengers. It gradually climbed to an altitude of nearly 3,500 meters, offering views across the bay.
Details of the jump
Marie, who is a thrill seeker, had previously skydived from an airplane 18 years ago. Her husband gifted her the experience for 1,200 euros, a price that included two hot air balloon flight tickets and the tandem jump. She said she jumped at the opportunity after learning that in-flight parachuting was possible.
Before jumping, Marie hung suspended over the void for 10 minutes. She admitted her heart was pounding, but said the experience was great and made her feel alive. Unlike jumping from an airplane, she experienced no speed or air pressure, describing the feeling as similar to jumping from the top of a tower.
The freefall lasted 40 seconds before the parachute deployed for a smooth canopy flight and a gentle landing. Upon reaching the ground, Marie said the experience was incredible.
