« America's Challenge Leaders Near Vaughn, NM | Main | Only three competitors are flying »

06 October 2003

Two Landed in America's Challenge

Two balloons have assumed -- for the moment -- a clear lead, and two others have landed as the Eighth America's Challenge Race for gas balloons continues at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

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.

Email story to a friend Email this entry to: Your email address: Message (optional): Archive July 2008 March 2008 January 2008 December 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 June 2006 April 2006 March 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 Last messages Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett 2008 - the teams GB 2009 in Geneva World Record Balloon Flight GB 2008 in Albuquerque America's Challenge - update #2 America's Challenge - update #1 Stuttgart Cup 20087 - update #3 Stuttgart Cup 2007 - update #2 Stuttgart Cup 2007 - update #1 7 Gordon Bennett teams will start Search Search in news: Gasballoon Map Partners