Le Mondial SAQ
Formerly known as l'International Benson & Hedges, le Mondial SAQ, or Coupe du Monde SAQ (SAQ World Cup) is the most important international fireworks competition. It has been held yearly in Montreal, Canada, since 1985, and is named after its main sponsor, the Société des alcools du Québec (Alcohol Company of Quebec).
Each summer, eight pyrotechnical companies from different countries present a 30-minute long pyromusical show, competing for the Gold, Silver and Bronze Jupiter trophies.
The top 8 competitors have been invited to fight for the unique Platinum Jupiter in June and July 2004, which was won in the end by the German company WECO.
Although the fireworks are shot at La Ronde on Île Sainte-Hélène, they can easily be seen from many points in Montreal and Longueuil, and especially on the Jacques Cartier Bridge, which is closed to traffic to accommodate hundreds of thousands of viewers.
