Premier US Gas Balloon Race Is In The Air!!

In what race offcials properly noted to be a 'a beautiful and moving midnight ballet of light and motion, the six America’s Challenge balloons finally headed skyward on a beautiful, calm early Saturday morning in Albuquerque' -- and ANN has been privileged to be a part of the action this week...

The launch began with an emotional ceremony honoring friends and fellow competitors Richard Abruzzo and Carol Rymer Davis, who disappeared nine days ago during a similar race, the Coupe Gordon Bennett, and have not been found. Richard had been scheduled to compete in the America’s Challenge with former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson.

The America’s Challenge competitors afforded Richard and Carol the ceremonial first position in the competition order. As per tradition, the US National Anthem was played and at the end of the anthem, competitors, officials, and spectators released white balloons carrying aloft good wishes and prayers for Richard and Carol. On the launch platform, Richard’s brothers Benny and Louis and Carol’s husband John, daughter Heather, and grandson Ryan released the first two balloons. In the background glowed two splashes of color – Richard Abruzzo’s hot air balloon “Peak Express” and Carol Rymer Davis’ hot air balloon “Raggedy Ann.”

Richard and Carol's Hot Air Balloons

A few minutes later , the first of the competitors, the team of Phil Bryant and Phil MacNutt, were walked to the launch platform and lifted off, followed in rapid sequence by the other five balloons. All were aloft by 12:45 AM MDT (0645Z). As they gained altitude they began to head southeast towards Tijeras Canyon at the southern end of the Sandia Mountains.

The object of the race is to fly the greatest distance from Albuquerque. Trajectory forecasts suggest the balloons are likely to head fairly directly east across the country – but who knows what secret strategies our wily teams have up their sleeves.

The America's Challenge Command Center will provide regular updates and landing reports as the race progresses, and you can access the updates through the link above the map on the tracking page.

 
In launch order, the competing teams are:

1. Phil Bryant, Houston, TX/Phil McNutt, Austin, TX
2. Barbara Fricke/Peter Cuneo, Albuquerque, NM
3. Bert Padelt, Barto, PA/Louis Vitanza, Hillsborough, NJ
4. Cheri White, Austin, TX/Mark Sullivan, Albuquerque, NM
5. Troy Bradley, Albuquerque, NM/Shane Robinson, Joplin, MO
6. Danielle Francoeur, Montreal, Quebec, Canada/Linda Ellis, San Jose, CA

FMI: www.balloonfiesta.com/GasTracking/2010/