News & Updates

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…


2022 America's Challenge Celebrates Silver Anniversary

September 27, 2022

Weather permitting, at 6 PM on Saturday, October 1, a distinguished field of gas balloonists will soar aloft from Balloon Fiesta Park on flights to destiations unknown. Their objective: to fl…