When you're asked to list the great cities of the world, North Battleford probably doesn't spring to mind. Set in the golden plains of northern Saskatchewan, it is best known for its freight railway and an impressive collection of farm implement dealerships. If you're looking for a new combine harvester, you've come to the right place.
But North Battleford is hoping that the return of record-seeking French skydiver Michel Fournier will turn this community of 13,700 into the Canadian equivalent of Kitty Hawk. "Everyone will know that this is the place where history was made," said Mayor Julian Sadlowski.
When that will happen is anyone's guess. Mr. Fournier came to North Battleford in May, hoping to set a new world record by skydiving from 130,000 feet, but found himself stymied by bad weather and technical glitches. Even so, his record attempt focused world attention on the small farming community and had cash registers ringing at a record pace as hundreds of launch team members and journalists descended on the town.
"It was great for us," Mr. Sadlowski said.
Although there have been reports that Mr. Fournier would return in September to make another record attempt, those proved to be unfounded. Mr. Fournier's launch team said he has begun assembling equipment, but needs to raise a substantial amount of money before coming to Canada for another try. They believe it will probably take until next spring to complete preparations.
For Mr. Sadlowski, who had been rubbing his hands at the news of Mr. Fournier's return, the delay was a bit of a punch in the gut. "We'd like him back tomorrow if we could have him," he said. "He's going to put us on the map."
Mr. Fournier, a former French military paratrooper, has spent more than 15 years and $12-million on his improbable yet inspiring quest to break the world high-altitude skydiving record. He has assembled a vast array of specialized equipment, including a 200-metre-tall helium balloon, GPS tracking systems, and a specially designed spacesuit.
He chose North Battleford for his record attempt after his native France denied him permission to make the jump, citing safety concerns. Mr. Fournier has made three attempts so far. In 2002, a tube that fed helium into his balloon ripped out. In 2003, his balloon split in two at liftoff. And this past May, his balloon flew away without him when a release system malfunctioned.
Even so, Mr. Sadlowski said he's confident that Mr. Fournier will finally prevail and make North Battleford a part of aviation history. "This will be the place where it happens," he said. "We'll put up a billboard at the edge of town."