Averages 935 points on 11 flying tasks, earns right to represent US in Japan in 2006

Following in his older brother's footsteps, Paul Petrehn of Ann Arbor (MI) has won the 2004 US National Hot Air Balloon Championship in Anderson (SC). His brother, Johnny Petrehn, was US National Champion in 1998.

Petrehn completed the 11 flying tasks with a total of 10,289 points. Consistent accuracy was the key to his win as he averaged 935 points per task out of a possible 1,000. As the new US National Champion, Petrehn earns the right to represent the United States at the 2006 World Championship to be held in Motegi, Japan.

Rounding out the Top 5 were Joe Heartsill (9172 pts), Nick Donner (9075 pts), Johnny Petrehn (8685 pts) and Pat Cannon (7848 pts).

What makes Petrehn's win all the more extraordinary is that all of the remaining Top 5 pilots are former National Champions: Heartsill won in 1992, 1997 and 1999, while Donner won in 2001 and 2003. Johnny Petrehn won in 1998 and Pat Cannon captured the title in 1995. Heartsill is also a past World Champion.

Rain interrupted the beginning of the contest forcing cancellation of the first flight on Sunday, July 25, then shortened the week-long championship event when thunderstorms forced a rain-out of both Thursday flights and the final Friday morning flight window.

Twenty five of the nation's top balloon pilots competed in the championship event including past national and world champions. For complete task by task scoring results and photos go to the Balloon Federation of America's web site.

FMI: www.bfa.net