Greatest height achieved (#3), Open

There were 26 ballooning events at the 1900 Paris Exposition, which were more properly termed exhibitions. They were mixed, with both men and women participating. The events all took place starting at the Aerostation at the Parc de Vincennes in Paris. There were three events for greatest height achieved, one without handicap, and two with handicaps. This event was won by Jacques Balsan, who also won one of the handicap events, and placed second in the other handicap event. He was accompanied by an assistant, Eugène Godard. Together they reached a height of 8,417 metres, which had to be quite dangerous in that era although they did have oxygen, which they started using at 4,000 metres. For the victory they were given a silver plaque valued at 200 francs.