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Updates

America's Challenge Launch Postponed

October 5, 2019

Posted 6:15 am (1215z)

The launch of the 23rd America’s Challenge distance race for gas balloons is being postponed due to weather concerns in Texas and Oklahoma, in the direction the balloons would travel if the race began as scheduled Saturday evening.

Weather in Albuquerque at Balloon Fiesta Park is good, with huge crowds on the field anticipating this morning’s mass ascension. Weather tonight at the launch site is also expected to be great for tonight’s Twilight Twinkle Glow, and would make for good launch conditions for gas balloons.

However, forecasts show that with a Saturday night launch, the balloons would be in Texas and Oklahoma late Sunday afternoon, where the weather is expected to be windy at best and stormy at worst. Pilots could face the choice of having to fly into thunderstorms or trying to land in very high winds, either of which would pose a danger to the pilots’ safety.

Race officials stressed at yesterday’s general briefing that their number one consideration in determining the timing of the launch is safety, Postponement of the competition to Sunday or Monday should allow the pilots the opportunity to fly a fun, strategic race, with a variety of possible trajectories and options for longer flights.

The next briefing has been scheduled for noon on Sunday, October 6, at which time a decision will be made about whether to attempt a Sunday evening launch in conjunction with the Balloon Fiesta’s balloon glow.

Categories: AC News

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© 2018-2025 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc. A 501(c)(3) Organization
  • This Year's Event
    • Event Schedule
    • Entertainment Schedule
    • Balloon Fiesta Live!
    • Guest Guide
    • Know Before You Go
    • FAQs - Balloon Fiesta
    • Maps & Directions
    • Transportation Services
      • Courtesy Shuttle and Fiesta Transport
      • ADA-Accessability
      • Bike Valet
    • Session Type
      • Albuquerque Aloft
      • America's Challenge
      • Balloon Glows
      • Competition
      • Dawn Patrol
      • Fiesta de Los Globitos
      • Mass Ascension
      • Special Shape Rodeo/Glowdeo®
    • Entertainment
      • Balloon Discovery Center
      • Chainsaw Carving
      • Music Fiesta
    • Photos
      • Photos-Photographers
      • Photo Contest
    • Travel Help
    • Official Mobile App Sponsored by Visit Albuquerque
  • Tickets & Reservations
    • General Information
      • Chasers' Club
      • Concierge Program
      • Fiesta Sky Box
      • General Admission
      • Gondola Club
      • Group Tours
      • Park & Ride
      • Purchase Tickets
    • Balloon Rides
    • Lodging
      • Camp 505
      • Glamping
      • RV Information
      • Travel Help
  • Ballooning
    • Hot Air
      • History of Ballooning
      • Balloonist's Prayer
      • Special Shape Rodeo
      • Recognitions
    • Gas Balloons
      • America's Challenge
      • Gas vs Hot Air
      • History of Gas Ballooning
      • FAQ's - Gas Ballooning
      • Gordon Bennett
    • Pilots
      • 2024 Pilot List
      • Pilot List All Years
      • Pilot News/FAQs
      • Pilot & Crew Videos
      • International Pilots
      • Ops Manual
      • PZ Maps
      • Waiver
      • Weather
      • Radios
      • Competition scores
      • Remote Control Balloons
      • Fly Swapper
    • Crew Registration
  • Merchandise
    • AIBF Official Merchandise Online
    • Artisans
    • Concessions
    • Buy a Brick Program
    • Collectors Corner
      • Bumper Stickers
      • Calendars
      • Coins
      • Pins
      • Posters
      • Programs
  • Sponsors
    • Official Sponsors
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • Media
  • Behind The Scenes
    • Volunteering
    • Board of Directors
    • Mission Statement
    • Contact us
    • Ambassadors
    • Donation Requests
    • History of Balloon Fiesta
    • Concessions & Artisans Application
    • Public Safety Application
    • Recognitions
    • Latest News
    • Newsletter
    • Inside the Basket Archive
    • Privacy Statement
    • Web information
  • At The Park
    • Know Before You Go