Albuquerque, N.M. – Nine gas balloons competition launched from the Balloon Fiesta field on Tuesday October 8 with Andy Cayton (USA) and Krzysztof Zapart (Poland) pilots – Team 1 – taking first place with the longest flight. The winning team landed on October 10th clocking a distance 2598.61 (km) near Attawapiskat, Ontario.
The 23rd America’s Challenge brought pilots different parts of the world to compete. Other countries represented in the competition besides the United States were France, Austria and Poland. Ranking in order of distance were:
Rank 1- USA/Poland – Andy Cayton/Krzysztof Zapart; 2598.61 Attawapiskat, Ontario
Rank 2 – France – Eric Decellieres/Vincent Leys; 2135.97 (km) Gull Bay, Ontario
Rank 3 – France – Benoit Pelard/Benoit Peterle; 1958.39 (km) Sapawe, Ontario
Rank 4 – USA – Brian Duncan/Brenda Cowlishaw; 1757.70 (km) Hibbing, MN
Rank 5 – USA -Cheryi White/Mark Sullivan;1665.87 (km) Aitkin, MN
Rank 6 – USA – Noah Forden/Bert Padelt; 1635.89 (km) Mantrap Township, MN
Rank 7 – USA – Barbara Fricke/Peter Cuneo; 1597.35 (km) Princeton, MN
Rank 8 – Austria – Christian Wagner/Thomas Lewetz; 1447.88 Durmont, MN
Rank 9 – USA – Al Nels/Andy Baird; 933.80 (km) Hardy, NE
Doublerock Press pictures: https://www.napphotos.com
Hunter Wells/Nancy Ann Peterson, photographer