Monday, October 06, 2003
Third Balloon Lands in Gas Balloon Race
Competitors Cluster Around Clovis as America's Challenge Continues
Albuquerque, NM — Oct. 6, 2003 — As of 5:47 PM MT the Eighth America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive ever as the 11 balloons still aloft reach the 24-hour mark after launch. Three balloons have now landed. Team #5, John Kugler and "Red" Sheeshe, was the latest to land, touching down about 30 miles SW of Clovis, NM approaching mid-afternoon.
The current lead is held by Team #6, Barbara Fricke and Peter Cuneo. They're headed east across the Texas Panhandle. Many of the competitors are currently clustered in the area of Clovis, NM. Teams continue to watch the weather in southeastern NM and into Texas and to plan strategy to take the best advantage of wind conditions. The balloons and the Command Center are continuing to monitor thunderstorm activity to the south and east of the balloons' positions.
Here is a list of the balloons and their approximate, unofficial positions as of 4:15 MDT (2315Z):
#6 Fricke/Cuneo, 60 mi. ENE of Clovis, NM, 247 mi/397 km
#12 Boylan/McCluskey, 40 mi. SSE of Clovis, NM, 220 mi/354 km
#13 Sullivan/White, 5 mi. E of Clovis, NM, 208 mi/335 km
#14 MacNutt/Critelli, 5 mi. SE of Clovis, NM, 206 mi/331 km
#4 Abruzzo/Rymer-Davis, 50 mi. NNE of Clovis, NM, 201 mi/323 km
#7 Hale/Devaney, 10 mi. NE of Clovis, NM, 200 mi/322 km
#1 Petrhen/Sabin, 25 mi. N of Clovis, NM, 194 mi/313 km
#2 Eimers/Winker, Over Clovis, NM, 194 mi/313 km
#5 Kugler/Sheeshe, LANDED 30 mi. SW of Clovis, NM, 184 mi/296 km
#9 Parks/Cayton, 20 mi. W of Clovis, NM, 170 mi/274 km
#10 Gerhardt/Muller, LANDED 15 mi. NE of Roswell, NM, 169 mi/272 km
#8 Levin/Levin, 35 mi. NW of Clovis, NM, 166 mi/267 km
#3 Donnelly/Forse, 20 mi. SSW of Santa Rosa, NM, 143 mi/229 km
#11 Robinson/Martin, LANDED 50 miles N of Roswell, NM, 143 mi/230 km
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations (505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
Albuquerque, NM — Oct. 6, 2003 — As of 5:47 PM MT the Eighth America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive ever as the 11 balloons still aloft reach the 24-hour mark after launch. Three balloons have now landed. Team #5, John Kugler and "Red" Sheeshe, was the latest to land, touching down about 30 miles SW of Clovis, NM approaching mid-afternoon.
The current lead is held by Team #6, Barbara Fricke and Peter Cuneo. They're headed east across the Texas Panhandle. Many of the competitors are currently clustered in the area of Clovis, NM. Teams continue to watch the weather in southeastern NM and into Texas and to plan strategy to take the best advantage of wind conditions. The balloons and the Command Center are continuing to monitor thunderstorm activity to the south and east of the balloons' positions.
Here is a list of the balloons and their approximate, unofficial positions as of 4:15 MDT (2315Z):
#6 Fricke/Cuneo, 60 mi. ENE of Clovis, NM, 247 mi/397 km
#12 Boylan/McCluskey, 40 mi. SSE of Clovis, NM, 220 mi/354 km
#13 Sullivan/White, 5 mi. E of Clovis, NM, 208 mi/335 km
#14 MacNutt/Critelli, 5 mi. SE of Clovis, NM, 206 mi/331 km
#4 Abruzzo/Rymer-Davis, 50 mi. NNE of Clovis, NM, 201 mi/323 km
#7 Hale/Devaney, 10 mi. NE of Clovis, NM, 200 mi/322 km
#1 Petrhen/Sabin, 25 mi. N of Clovis, NM, 194 mi/313 km
#2 Eimers/Winker, Over Clovis, NM, 194 mi/313 km
#5 Kugler/Sheeshe, LANDED 30 mi. SW of Clovis, NM, 184 mi/296 km
#9 Parks/Cayton, 20 mi. W of Clovis, NM, 170 mi/274 km
#10 Gerhardt/Muller, LANDED 15 mi. NE of Roswell, NM, 169 mi/272 km
#8 Levin/Levin, 35 mi. NW of Clovis, NM, 166 mi/267 km
#3 Donnelly/Forse, 20 mi. SSW of Santa Rosa, NM, 143 mi/229 km
#11 Robinson/Martin, LANDED 50 miles N of Roswell, NM, 143 mi/230 km
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations (505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
Two Land in Gas Balloon Race; Hot Air Balloon Race Rescheduled
High Winds Challenge Ballooning Competitions
Albuquerque, NM - Oct. 6, 2003 - As of 11:30 AM MDT (1830Z), the teams of Barbara Fricke and Peter Cuneo (Team #6) and Richard Abruzzo and Carol Rymer-Davis (Team 4) have both traveled about 200 miles (approx. 325 km) and are northeast of Clovis, NM and entering the state of Texas. Several other balloons are headed eastward through the east-central portion of NM, generally in the area east of Vaughn and west of Clovis.
Two teams have landed safely. Team #11, Shane Robinson and Ron Martin, landed early this morning about 50 miles north of Roswell, NM. Team #10, Astred Gerhardt and Stephan Muller, landed about 10:00 AM MDT (1700Z) about 15 miles NE of Roswell.
As expected, this is shaping up to be a strategic contest, with pilots trying to position their balloons for the best track to ultimately travel the longest distance. It should be a fascinating flight to the finish for the remaining 12 competitors.
For real-time tracking of the balloons as the competition continues, visit http://tracker.balloonfiesta.com/index.php.
Higher winds this morning delayed the New Mexico Challenge hot air balloon race until tomorrow morning. Many balloons still launched from the field.
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations (505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
Albuquerque, NM - Oct. 6, 2003 - As of 11:30 AM MDT (1830Z), the teams of Barbara Fricke and Peter Cuneo (Team #6) and Richard Abruzzo and Carol Rymer-Davis (Team 4) have both traveled about 200 miles (approx. 325 km) and are northeast of Clovis, NM and entering the state of Texas. Several other balloons are headed eastward through the east-central portion of NM, generally in the area east of Vaughn and west of Clovis.
Two teams have landed safely. Team #11, Shane Robinson and Ron Martin, landed early this morning about 50 miles north of Roswell, NM. Team #10, Astred Gerhardt and Stephan Muller, landed about 10:00 AM MDT (1700Z) about 15 miles NE of Roswell.
As expected, this is shaping up to be a strategic contest, with pilots trying to position their balloons for the best track to ultimately travel the longest distance. It should be a fascinating flight to the finish for the remaining 12 competitors.
For real-time tracking of the balloons as the competition continues, visit http://tracker.balloonfiesta.com/index.php.
Higher winds this morning delayed the New Mexico Challenge hot air balloon race until tomorrow morning. Many balloons still launched from the field.
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations (505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
Day Two of Balloon Fiesta Rated G: Great For All Ages
A Fun-filled Day Was Packed with Something for Every Member of the Audience
Albuquerque, N.M., U.S.A. — Oct. 6, 2003 — Yesterday, the second day of the 32nd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, had something for everyone. From pre-dawn until well after the sun had set, The Great Motion Picture Show provided one great performance after another.
In the morning, for two solid hours, a flood of balloons inflated in the FIELD OF DREAMS, and Fiesta attendees delighted in seeing many of THE USUAL SUSPECTS including Air Bear, Purple People Eater, The Sun and Airabelle. And, making their maiden voyage with the BABES IN TOYLAND, all the way from BRAZIL, Little Bee Boy and Little Bee Girl were instant crowd pleasers.
Wind conditions were especially good for boxing yesterday. No, we're not talking about ALI or ROCKY, but rather the directed act of moving a balloon in different directions by changing altitude. Today’s pilots were GONE WITH THE WIND and landed back SAFE AT HOME!
In the late morning, we gathered A FEW GOOD MEN (and women) for a Salute to New Mexico Veterans. Cabinet Secretary John Garcia, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, read a proclamation from Governor Bill Richardson declaring Oct. 5, 2003 Salute to New Mexico Veterans Day.
Even though they won't go AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, the Eighth America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race, launched at 5 p.m., is sure to impress. Fans can view updates of this long-distance RAT RACE at www.balloonfiesta.com.
As the sun set, pilots got ready to SHINE at the evening's Balloon Glow. Fiesta attendees loved the CHARIOTS OF FIRE that lit up the desert sky. Fireworks made for a perfect Hollywood ending at Balloon Fiesta Park.
Today we will witness exciting balloon competitions where our pilots get to demonstrate their skills. See you on the field!
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. 6, 2003 — Yesterday, the second day of the 32nd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, had something for everyone. From pre-dawn until well after the sun had set, The Great Motion Picture Show provided one great performance after another.
In the morning, for two solid hours, a flood of balloons inflated in the FIELD OF DREAMS, and Fiesta attendees delighted in seeing many of THE USUAL SUSPECTS including Air Bear, Purple People Eater, The Sun and Airabelle. And, making their maiden voyage with the BABES IN TOYLAND, all the way from BRAZIL, Little Bee Boy and Little Bee Girl were instant crowd pleasers.
Wind conditions were especially good for boxing yesterday. No, we're not talking about ALI or ROCKY, but rather the directed act of moving a balloon in different directions by changing altitude. Today’s pilots were GONE WITH THE WIND and landed back SAFE AT HOME!
In the late morning, we gathered A FEW GOOD MEN (and women) for a Salute to New Mexico Veterans. Cabinet Secretary John Garcia, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, read a proclamation from Governor Bill Richardson declaring Oct. 5, 2003 Salute to New Mexico Veterans Day.
Even though they won't go AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, the Eighth America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race, launched at 5 p.m., is sure to impress. Fans can view updates of this long-distance RAT RACE at www.balloonfiesta.com.
As the sun set, pilots got ready to SHINE at the evening's Balloon Glow. Fiesta attendees loved the CHARIOTS OF FIRE that lit up the desert sky. Fireworks made for a perfect Hollywood ending at Balloon Fiesta Park.
Today we will witness exciting balloon competitions where our pilots get to demonstrate their skills. See you on the field!
Source: Kathie Leyendecker, Balloon Fiesta Director of Media and Community Relations
(505) 821-1000 or (505) 228-9874
