Former cyclist Robert Hutira has died at the age of 76 after a long battle with a number of health problems. He is known not only as one of the best athletes in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s and 1970s, but also as the man who made one of the most unique escapes from the communist regime in the country.
Despite becoming a two-time champion of Czechoslovakia, Hutira has a number of problems with the Communists. They forbid him to compete outside the country. So he decides to run away to make his dream of living in the United States come true.
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He built a flying balloon from various textile fabrics, but his first attempt was unsuccessful. The fabric catches fire. Before trying a second time, he did a series of tests with different materials. In the end, it tries to achieve even a waterproof effect. With sheet metal to strengthen the basket of the balloon to protect it from fire and blows. He explains to the curious neighbors that he is making a pot holder.
On September 7, 1983, Hutira, his wife Yana, their 14-year-old daughter and their 11-year-old son took off in a balloon from Bozice (Znojmo region). During the flight, they have to make a forced landing because they forget to change the gas cylinder. Despite the open fire on them from the border services, they managed to cross into Austrian territory.
“I had attached the wheel to the balloon and we used it as an anchor to get off the ground. It helped to hang on to the last row of a vineyard. During this journey, we were between life and death for 55 minutes, “the former cyclist admits in his biography.
From Austria, the family moved to the United States, where he was even adopted by President Ronald Reagan. They settled in Colorado. Over the years, Robert Hutira has developed heart problems. He was given a pacemaker, which saved his life three times.
Decades later, the family returned to the Czech Republic and began living in Luhačovice. A few years ago, Hutira suffered a heart attack but recovered. Now, however, his body is finally surrendering to numerous health problems.
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