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No Start for 25th America's Challenge
October 5, 2022
Wednesday, October 5, 2022 12:30 MDT (1830 UTC) Days of persistent rain, instability, and shifting weather patterns mean the 2022 America’s Challenge distance race for gas balloons will…
Another Day, Another Briefing, Another Delay
October 4, 2022
Tuesday, October 4 2:40 PM MDT (2040 UTC) It’s getting to be a familiar routine – the eight America’s Challenge teams, along with officials, crew, and weather guys, file into…
Groundhog Day at the America's Challenge?
October 3, 2022
October 3, 2022 7:30 PM (0130 UTC 10/4/2022) Unpredictable, unstable weather continues to plague the America’s Challenge distance race for gas balloons. A briefing scheduled for 8 PM MDT…
Weather Window Opening for America's Challenge?
October 3, 2022
October 3, 2022 2:40 PM MDT (2040 UTC) The first shafts of light are finally beginning to shine into the weather picture for the 25th America’s Challenge gas balloon race, with potential…
Pilots Gather for Monday Briefing
October 3, 2022
The America’s Challenge teams will shortly begin filing into the briefing room at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta headquarters near Balloon Fiesta Park for the 2 PM MDT (200…
America's Challenge Weather Delays Continue
October 2, 2022
Sunday, October 2, 2022 1700 MDT (2300 UTC) Why are these people smiling? Certainly not because of the unstable weather that continues to plague the 25th America's Challenge distance race f…
Next America's Challenge briefing at 3 PM (2100 UTC) Sunday
October 2, 2022
The America's Challenge gas balloon race teams will meet at 3 PM (2100 UTC) on Sunday, October 2, to review weather conditions and potential launch windows for the race. Race officials and th…
America's Challenge Gas Race Postponed
October 1, 2022
10/01/2022 2:30 PM MDT / 2030 UTC The launch of the 25th America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race, originally scheduled for the evenint of October 1, is being postponed due to weather concerns. T…
America's Challenge Launch Anticipated Saturday October 1
September 30, 2022
9/30/2022 5 PM MDT/2300 UTC The eight America's Challenge teams are safely in Albuquerque and eagerly anticipating the 25th America's Challenge distance race for gas balloons. The launch wind…
Ready for Adventure: Teams Gear Up for 24th America's Challenge
September 22, 2021
After a one-year COVID postponement, adventurous gas balloonists are eagerly awaiting the return of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s America’s Challenge distance race…
Final America's Challenge Results Released as Competitors Celebrate
October 12, 2019
Posted 10:30 PM MDT (0430z) The results of the 23rd America’s Challenge race for gas balloons are now final and confirm what everyone already knew: Andy Cayton of the US and Krzysztof…
Results, Photos, and Videos - America's Challenge Flights and Landings
October 11, 2019
Posted 11 PM MDT (0500z) We are pleased to share with you official results for the 23rd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta America's Challenge distance race for gas balloons. These resu…
Second No More! Cayton-Zapart Emerge On Top At America's Challenge
October 10, 2019
Posted: 8:30 AM MDT (1430z) In 2014, Poland’s Krzysztof Zapart, a jovial newcomer to gas ballooning, flew in his first America’s Challenge and impressed in his debut by finishing s…
Last Balloon Standing! Cayton-Zapart Pursue Race Leaders
October 9, 2019
Posted 4:45 PM MDT (2045z) And then there was one. French competitors Eric Decellieres and Vincent Leys (Team 2) reported their safe landing to the America's Challenge Command Center. They ar…
Interview with America's Challenge Race Meteorologist Randy Lefevre
October 9, 2019
Note: This interview was recorded before Team 7 (Pelard/Peterle) landed.
America's Challenge Leaders Land, Two Teams Still Flying
October 9, 2019
Posted 12:00 PM MDT (1800z) The Command Center has just received word that the race leaders, Benoit Pelard and Benoit Peterle of France (Team 7), have executed a safe landing east of Atikokan…
Team 5, Fricke-Cuneo, and Team 3 , Duncan-Cowlishaw, Report Safe Landings
October 9, 2019
Posted 8:20 AM MDT (1420z) The field still flying in the 23rd America's Challenge for gas balloons is now down to three, as more of the teams report landings. With brisk ground winds in Minne…
America's Challenge Landing Update, Teams 9 and 4 Report Safe Landings
October 9, 2019
Posted 7:30 AM MDT (1330z) In the past few minutes, two of the US teams have reported safe landings to the Command Center. Team 9, Cheri White and Mark Sullivan, landed near Hossmann, MN, we…
Austrian Team Lands in Minnesota; Seven Teams Still Aloft
October 9, 2019
Posted 5:45 AM MDT (1145z) The Command Center confirms that Team 8, Christian Wagner and Thomas Lewetz of Austria, have landed safely near Wheaton MN, close to the border with South Dakota.…
Photos from the America's Challenge teams
October 8, 2019
Enjoy these photos sent back on October 8, 2019 from our teams flying in the America's Challenge. Our thanks to the teams for giving us permission to share their experience!
First America's Challenge Team Lands
October 8, 2019
Posted 9:45 PM MDT (0345z) The Command Center has just received word that Team 6, Americans Al Nels and Andy Baird, have made a safe nighttime landing near Superior, Nebraska, just north of th…
All Nine Teams Still Flying as America's Challenge Begins Second Day
October 8, 2019
Posted 8:00 PM (1500z) It has been a quiet, routine day in the America’s Challenge Command Center, which usually means it has also been a routine day – as routine as it gets in a g…
Welcome Sunrise: America's Challenge Teams in Texas
October 8, 2019
Posted 9:00 AM (1500z) The nine teams competing in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s America’s Challenge race for gas balloons are approaching their 12-hour mark al…
America's Challenge Airborne! Teams Float Northward
October 7, 2019
Posted 10:45 PM MDT (0445z) View Balloon Fiesta Live’s broadcast of the launch here! After two days of delays due to weather both in Albuquerque and downrange, it was all worth the wait.…
Ready To Go the Distance: America's Challenge Teams Prepare for Monday Launch
October 7, 2019
Posted 2:00 pm (2000z) The formal briefings are completed, the field is being prepared, and the nine international teams in the America’s Challenge distance race for gas balloons are in…
