Sunday, October 05, 2003
America's Challenge Launches in Record Time!
14 Balloons Launch in 40 Minutes as America's Challenge Begins
Albuquerque, N.M., U.S.A. — Oct. 5, 2003 — Fourteen competitors in the America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race are safely aloft and flying. The launch began at precisely 5:00 PM MDT before a record crowd for a gas ballooning event at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. All 14 balloons were launched in just 40 minutes -- which we believe to be a record for this type event. The Team 11 balloon, piloted by Shane Robinson and Ron Martin, briefly made ground contact immediately after liftoff. No one was hurt and the flight continued.
The balloons are headed generally in a southeasterly direction. The weather in Albuquerque has steadily improved throughout the day and looks good for the Balloon Glow scheduled to begin in about half an hour (6:30 PM MDT). The weather patterns developing downrange indicate that this may be a very interesting strategic race, with several options available to the pilots.
Live tracking of the balloons in flight should be available shortly at http://tracker.balloonfiesta.com/index.php. We will post narrative updates on the balloons' status and position several times daily.
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations
(505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
Albuquerque, N.M., U.S.A. — Oct. 5, 2003 — Fourteen competitors in the America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race are safely aloft and flying. The launch began at precisely 5:00 PM MDT before a record crowd for a gas ballooning event at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. All 14 balloons were launched in just 40 minutes -- which we believe to be a record for this type event. The Team 11 balloon, piloted by Shane Robinson and Ron Martin, briefly made ground contact immediately after liftoff. No one was hurt and the flight continued.
The balloons are headed generally in a southeasterly direction. The weather in Albuquerque has steadily improved throughout the day and looks good for the Balloon Glow scheduled to begin in about half an hour (6:30 PM MDT). The weather patterns developing downrange indicate that this may be a very interesting strategic race, with several options available to the pilots.
Live tracking of the balloons in flight should be available shortly at http://tracker.balloonfiesta.com/index.php. We will post narrative updates on the balloons' status and position several times daily.
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations
(505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
Sunday a Salute to New Mexico Veterans Day
New Mexico Veterans Honored at Balloon Fiesta Special Event Featuring Military Flyover
Albuquerque, NM - Oct. 5, 2003 - Earlier this morning, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta honored New Mexico veterans with a special morning-long event. At the event, a proclamation from Governor Bill Richardson declared October 5, 2003 "Salute to New Mexico Veterans Day."
The day started with representatives from over 200 New Mexico veteran organizations including Metal of Honor recipients (Jerry Murphy, Hiroshi Myamura and Drew Dix), Bataan survivors, Navajo code talkers, Korean War and Vietnam veterans, as well as soldiers from Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, arriving on the field at 6:00 a.m. VIPs were escorted by Naval Sea Cadets to meet pilots who then flew the honored guests during the Balloon Fiesta's mass ascension.
At 10:00 a.m., the recognition ceremony, featuring a military flyover, began. The following aircraft participated:
• F-117 Stealth based at Holloman Air Force Base and flown by Major Jose Pinedo
• Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk brought to the Balloon Fiesta by the New Mexico National Guard based in Santa Fe and flown by Lonnie Colson
• Lockheed T-33 owned by Fantasy Fighters of Santa Fe and flown by Larry Salganek
• Cessna O-1 Bird Dog owned and flown by Phil Phillips of Albuquerque
• North American T-6 Texan owned and flown by Tom Martin of Albuquerque
• 1944 Navy GH-3 owned by Brian and Debbie Longwill of Albuquerque and flown by Brian -Fairchild PT-26 Cornell owned and operated by the Lobo Wing of the Commemorative Air Force based in Albuquerque and flown by Wing Commander David McBride
• Army PT-7 Kaydet owned by Steve Jones and flown by John and Pierrette Dougherty
Colors were presented by Vietnam Veterans Color Guard, Fife and Drum Corps played the Star Spangled Banner and Major General Tim Peppe led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mater of Ceremonies Tom Rutherford introduced the morning's speakers, which included Mayor Martin Chavez, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Board President Art Swenka, Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Veterans Services John Garcia, Brigadier General Jim Hunt, Colonel Henry Andrews, Colonel Andy Papp, Colonel Robert Yates, Congresswoman Heather Wilson, Congressman Tom Udall and State Representatives Ben Altamirano, Ted Hobbs Larry Larranaga and Richard Romero.
The event ended with the firing of cannons, a flag folding ceremony by representatives from the Buffalo Soldiers and the Piper Chamberlain playing Amazing Grace.
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations
(505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
Albuquerque, NM - Oct. 5, 2003 - Earlier this morning, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta honored New Mexico veterans with a special morning-long event. At the event, a proclamation from Governor Bill Richardson declared October 5, 2003 "Salute to New Mexico Veterans Day."
The day started with representatives from over 200 New Mexico veteran organizations including Metal of Honor recipients (Jerry Murphy, Hiroshi Myamura and Drew Dix), Bataan survivors, Navajo code talkers, Korean War and Vietnam veterans, as well as soldiers from Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, arriving on the field at 6:00 a.m. VIPs were escorted by Naval Sea Cadets to meet pilots who then flew the honored guests during the Balloon Fiesta's mass ascension.
At 10:00 a.m., the recognition ceremony, featuring a military flyover, began. The following aircraft participated:
• F-117 Stealth based at Holloman Air Force Base and flown by Major Jose Pinedo
• Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk brought to the Balloon Fiesta by the New Mexico National Guard based in Santa Fe and flown by Lonnie Colson
• Lockheed T-33 owned by Fantasy Fighters of Santa Fe and flown by Larry Salganek
• Cessna O-1 Bird Dog owned and flown by Phil Phillips of Albuquerque
• North American T-6 Texan owned and flown by Tom Martin of Albuquerque
• 1944 Navy GH-3 owned by Brian and Debbie Longwill of Albuquerque and flown by Brian -Fairchild PT-26 Cornell owned and operated by the Lobo Wing of the Commemorative Air Force based in Albuquerque and flown by Wing Commander David McBride
• Army PT-7 Kaydet owned by Steve Jones and flown by John and Pierrette Dougherty
Colors were presented by Vietnam Veterans Color Guard, Fife and Drum Corps played the Star Spangled Banner and Major General Tim Peppe led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mater of Ceremonies Tom Rutherford introduced the morning's speakers, which included Mayor Martin Chavez, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Board President Art Swenka, Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Veterans Services John Garcia, Brigadier General Jim Hunt, Colonel Henry Andrews, Colonel Andy Papp, Colonel Robert Yates, Congresswoman Heather Wilson, Congressman Tom Udall and State Representatives Ben Altamirano, Ted Hobbs Larry Larranaga and Richard Romero.
The event ended with the firing of cannons, a flag folding ceremony by representatives from the Buffalo Soldiers and the Piper Chamberlain playing Amazing Grace.
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations
(505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
Balloon Fiesta Day One Somewhere Over The Rainbow
"The Great Motion Picture Show" Off to a Great Start
Albuquerque, NM - Oct. 5, 2003 - Yesterday, the first day of the 32nd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, was a marvelous success. Pilots, attendees, officials, volunteers and organizers all delighted in this year's theme: The Great Motion Picture Show.
Despite early morning clouds and a 30-minute launch delay, spirits ran high in anticipation of the mass ascension. Before long, a drab black-and-white morning turned Technicolor as more than 700 balloons took to the skies. Children of all ages watched with glee as favorite balloons floated high over head, fueled by wizardly flames.
Adults stayed all afternoon and enjoyed ruby- and glass-colored beverages at Fiesta del Vino, a wine tasting festival that celebrated the award-winning and flavorful wines of New Mexico.
Although wicked weather in the east postponed the Eighth America's Challenge gas balloon race, Balloon Fiesta officials are optimistic that, if we close our eyes and click our heels together three times, the race will go off without a hitch on Sunday.
In addition to the race, Sunday events also include a mass ascension, the Salute to New Mexico Veterans, a balloon glow and AfterGlow fireworks. See you on the field!
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations
(505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
Albuquerque, NM - Oct. 5, 2003 - Yesterday, the first day of the 32nd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, was a marvelous success. Pilots, attendees, officials, volunteers and organizers all delighted in this year's theme: The Great Motion Picture Show.
Despite early morning clouds and a 30-minute launch delay, spirits ran high in anticipation of the mass ascension. Before long, a drab black-and-white morning turned Technicolor as more than 700 balloons took to the skies. Children of all ages watched with glee as favorite balloons floated high over head, fueled by wizardly flames.
Adults stayed all afternoon and enjoyed ruby- and glass-colored beverages at Fiesta del Vino, a wine tasting festival that celebrated the award-winning and flavorful wines of New Mexico.
Although wicked weather in the east postponed the Eighth America's Challenge gas balloon race, Balloon Fiesta officials are optimistic that, if we close our eyes and click our heels together three times, the race will go off without a hitch on Sunday.
In addition to the race, Sunday events also include a mass ascension, the Salute to New Mexico Veterans, a balloon glow and AfterGlow fireworks. See you on the field!
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations
(505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
