Hot-air balloons cross Channel in colorful record attempt

Some of the 100 balloons taking part in a World Record attempt for a mass hot air balloon crossing of the English Channel, fly over the Port of Dover in Kent, England, Friday April 7, 2017. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

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One of the 100 balloons taking part in a World Record attempt for a mass hot air balloon crossing of the English Channel, flies over a cross channel ferry near the Port of Dover in Kent, England, Friday April 7, 2017. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

Some of the 100 balloons taking part in a World Record attempt for a mass hot air balloon crossing of the English Channel prepare for take off near Dover England Friday April 7, 2017. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP) (The Associated Press)

LONDON – Never mind Brexit — the British are heading to France, by balloon.

Dozens of brightly colored hot-air balloons soared over the White Cliffs of Dover Friday in an attempt at the largest mass balloon crossing of the English Channel.

The flotilla of about 100 balloons took off just after dawn into uncharacteristically blue skies, heading for Calais.

Guinness World Records says the previous record for a crossing is 49 balloons, set in 2011.

Friday's event was organized by recruitment firm Datum RPO and marketing group Exclusive Ballooning.

The first balloon crossing of the Channel was made by Frenchman Jean-Pierre Francois Blanchard and American doctor John Jeffries in 1785.