The Hare and the Tortoise

Posted Monday, October 4, 0545 AM MDT (1145Z)

As we come towards the finish line of the 24^th America’s Challenge distance race for gas balloons, it’s as simple as the old children’s story of the hare and the tortoise. And as complicated.

Has the “hare” – the team of Noah Forden and Bert Padelt (Team 4) -- built an insurmountable lead with their strategy of flying high? Will they continue to gain ground through the morning?

Or . . . can the “tortoise” – Team 1’s Barbara Fricke and Peter Cuneo, who plodded along slowly all day yesterday while other teams built a commanding lead – reel in Team 4 and plod over the finish line to victory?

And does either team have enough ballast and gas left to continue the chase, and the race?

The next few hours will tell, as the sun rises over Texas and the race plays out. But one thing we do know from our live tracking – Team 1 is slowly but steadily gaining ground on Team 4. This could be a relatively short race distance-wise, but with one big finish. Stay tuned!

As the race unfolds you can follow the teams’ progress via the live tracking map and frequent updates on the America’s Challenge web page at www.balloonfiesta.com/Americas-Challenge, or download the YB tracking app (it’s free! In your favorite app store) onto your mobile device. Once you download the app, subscribe to the America’s Challenge 2021 race (also free).