Sylvie Claire / October 11, 2023
The world record for the largest cucurbit was broken in the USA on Monday at a festival held near San Francisco. The images are impressive.
In California, a gigantic pumpkin weighing over a ton has beaten the record for the world's largest cucurbit. Its grower pocketed a prize of $30,000.
Weighing in at 1247 kg (2749 pounds), the enormous pumpkin set the counters wild on Monday at the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival near San Francisco.
Wearing an orange T-shirt for the occasion, Travis Gienger raised his arms in triumph at the weigh-in, while amplifiers blasted Queen's "We are the champions" in the background.
The 50-year-old competition pits mega-pumpkin growers from all over North America against each other. Travis Gienger's pumpkin, from Minnesota in the northern USA, outweighed its nearest competitor by over 110 kg. The previous world record was set in 2021 in Italy, with 1226 kg.
The triumphant gourd will be on display this weekend at the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin and Art Festival.