2023 Official Balloon Fiesta Program

ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL

Balloon Fiesta

®

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

O C T O B E R 7-15 , 2 0 2 3 | A L B U Q U E R Q U E , N M

An even brighter energy future is on the horizon: Net zero greenhouse gas emissions Net zero emission-reduction plan in New Mexico by 2030 delivers a for New Mexico by 2030.

brighter energy future.

ExxonMobil is honored to be the Presenting Sponsor of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®.

As a leading energy producer in New Mexico, we are focused on responsibly developing the state’s resources and ourtopart to help realizeSponsor New Mexicans’ aspirations for a prosperous and sustainable ExxonMobil is doing honored be the Presenting of the Golden Anniversary of the Albuquerque future. This includes our 2030 intensity-based emission-reduction plans that focus on driving industryInternational Balloon Fiesta, taking our support of this world-renowned tradition to new heights. leading performance while still meeting the needs of society. These emission-reduction plans cover Scope As a leading energy producer in New Mexico, we are focused on responsibly developing the state’s 1 and 2 emissions from assets we operate, compared to 2016 levels. resources and doing our part to help realize New Mexicans’ aspirations for a prosperous and sustainable This at includes our aim achieve netthe zero Scope 1 Horizons and 2 greenhouse gaslook forward From all our future. employees ExxonMobil andtothe crew of Enchanted balloon, we emissions forat our unconventional operations in the state by 2030. to seeing you liftoff!

Follow ustotolearn learn more about doing Follow us more about whatwhat we’re we’re doing today today for a brighter energy future tomorrow for a brighter energy future tomorrow.

ExxonMobilNewMexico ExxonMobilNewMexico

Contents WELCOME LETTERS 6

Judith K. Nakamura, President, AIBF

8

Kartik Garg, New Mexico Production Manager for ExxonMobil

10

Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of New Mexico

12

Timothy M. Keller, Mayor of Albuquerque

OF INTEREST 14

Your Guide to Balloon Fiesta® Events

16

Schedule of Events

18

Survival Guide Map

20

Music FiestaTM

24

Entertainment Schedule

26

2023 AIBF Officers, Board of Directors

28

2023 AIBF Staff

30

2023 Officials

32

Balloon Fiesta Sponsors

34

Photography Tips

36

Spectator Safety Tips

130

2023 Heritage Award

132

2023 Balloon Fiesta Navigators

DIRECTORIES

2

55

2023 AIBF Balloon Directory

76

Additional Participating Pilots

87

Special Shape Directory

94

International Pilots

97

Fiesta de Los Globitos Directory

108

Gordon Bennett Competitor Directory

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

2023 Xfinity Fiesta Ad.pdf

1

6/21/23

3:05 PM

Our thanks.

Your rewards.

Xfinity Rewards is our way of saying thanks for being a customer.

Members enjoy a mix of special perks, unique experiences, product benefits and so much more. Sign up today to start enjoying rewards immediately.

C

M

Y

It’s free and easy to join

CM

MY

CY

CMY

1

Go to or open the Xfinity app

2

Log into your Xfinity account

3

Start exploring your rewards

K

Download the Xfinity app and explore your rewards today.

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. To be eligible to enroll in the Xfinity Rewards Program you must be a current Xfinity post-pay TV or Internet, or Wireline Voice residential customer with a current and active Xfinity account in good-standing. Subject to Xfinity Rewards Program General Terms and Conditions at www.xfinity.com/rewards. © 2023 Comcast. All rights reserved.

FEATURES 38 48 50 78 82

Bound to Read Rare “Ring of Fire” Annular Eclipse Balloon Fiesta® & the Land of International Enchantment Wheel Estate: RVing at Balloon Fiesta Albuquerque’s Ballooning Mayor

THE COUPE AÉRONAUTIQUE GORDON BENNETT 106 A World Championship Unlike Any Other 107 Gordon Bennett Records 108 Meet the Gordon Bennett Competitors 113 Gordon Bennett Officials 114 Gordon Bennett Past Winners 116 James Gordon Bennett, Jr. 117 The Gordon Bennett in the United States 123 Your Questions About the Gordon Bennett 126 Three Days of “Aerial Camping”: Life Aloft in the Gordon Bennett 128 It’s Not a Spy Balloon!

129 Women in the Coupe Gordon Bennett

4

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Welcome from the President, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®, Inc.

W

elcome to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s 51st edition!

Moving through the air in the gondola of a balloon offers an exhilarating “View from Above” of the vibrant Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta field and the New Mexico landscape. Other balloons create a canopy of color as they lift off and move quietly below. The silent motion of a hot air balloon is punctuated by the whooshing burst of sound from its burner or friendly greetings from spectators below. As the voyage continues beyond the launch field, once-unseen wildlife jump clearly into view.

The experiences felt, seen and heard by the pilot and passengers from above are only matched by the experiences of those on the ground, watching hundreds of balloons simultaneously inflate and launch into the expansive New Mexico sky or glow in the pre-dawn or post-sunset hour. The 80-acre launch field provides plenty of opportunity for spectators to move away from crowds and immerse themselves in the event by getting up close to the balloons and crews.

Once again more than 550 pilots and their crews of traditional and special shape hot air balloons and gas balloons, representing 16 countries, are uniting in Albuquerque for your enjoyment and the camaraderie of the sport. This year is particularly special as the United States and Balloon Fiesta welcome the 66th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett, the world’s oldest air race and the world championships for gas ballooning. This is only the fifth time this event has been held in the United

6

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

States in the last 40 years. Eighteen hydrogen filled balloons will launch, each with two of the world’s most distinguished pilots seeking to fly the farthest from the launch field over the course of days to win. The teams’ progress can be viewed in real time on Main Street, via the free YB Tracking app, or on Balloon Fiesta’s website.

The evening launch of the gas balloons, with each team’s national anthem playing as they ascend, is an experience not to be missed.

While hot air balloons are the stars of the show during mass ascensions and competitions throughout the week, there is plenty of other entertainment. From a 500-drone light show, to skydivers, to sand sculptors, music and shopping we believe there is truly something for everyone!

Balloon Fiesta’s Board of Directors, staff and thousands of volunteers (Navigators) work year-round to ensure your enjoyment of this spectacular event. Thank you to all of them and to our pilots, balloon crews, sponsors and government partners for their unwavering commitment to the success of this event.

Welcome to Balloon Fiesta! Thank you for joining us and enjoy the view from below or above!

Judith K. Nakamura President Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Welcome from Kartik Garg, New Mexico Production Manager for ExxonMobil

W

elcome to the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®, Powered

by ExxonMobil. We are proud to serve as the Presenting Sponsor for one of New Mexico’s most loved and spectacular traditions. We have been a partner since 2019 and became Presenting Sponsor for the 50th, 51st and upcoming 52nd Fiesta. New this year is our richly colored balloon that pays tribute to the beauty of New Mexico’s horizon during dawn and dusk. Be on the lookout for ExxonMobil’s Enchanted Horizons.

Balloon Fiesta has grown into the largest and most photographed hot air balloon festival in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

People come from all over the globe to experience the magic of Fiesta® and the charm of New Mexico – there’s a reason it is called The Land of Enchantment! This 9-day series of festivities plays a vital role in fueling the local and regional economy, generating more than $203.19 million in economic impact to the Albuquerque area annually. We are truly honored to help power this incredible economic engine.

Energy plays an important role in New Mexico, and as a leading energy producer here, our responsible development of Permian Basin resources is expected to generate billions in net economic benefits for the state and local communities over the next 40 years, creating new jobs and providing increased funding for education, health and human services and infrastructure improvements. We are focused on developing the state’s resources responsibly and in a manner that supports the preservation of New Mexico’s environment and unparalleled natural beauty.

An even brighter energy future is on the horizon.

Our intensity-based 2030 emission-reduction plans focus on driving industry-leading performance while still meeting the needs of society. These

8

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

emission-reduction plans cover Scope 1 and 2 emissions from assets we operate, compared to 2016 levels.

Balloon Fiesta – perhaps better than any other event – showcases the true beauty of New Mexico and its communities. On behalf of our employees who work and live here, I would like to offer our sincerest thanks to the Fiesta staff, balloonists, volunteers and local businesses for making this event a success. We look forward to another spectacular Fiesta and wish you the most memorable experience.

We’ll see you at liftoff!

Kartik Garg New Mexico Production Manager ExxonMobil

Net zero greenhouse gas An emissions even brighter in New Mexico by 2030energy delivers a is future brighter energy future. on the horizon We are honored to be the Presenting Sponsor of the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® Powered by ExxonMobil. We believe New Mexico’s skies are just as enchanting as its lands, which is why we designed our hot air balloon to resemble the state’s horizon at dawn and dusk.

As a leading energy producer in New Mexico, we remain focused on developing the state’s resources responsibly and in a manner that supports the preservation of its environment and unparalleled natural beauty. ExxonMobil aims to play a key role in the energy transition, and we continue to advance innovative solutions for a lower-emission energy future by leveraging our global scale and technical expertise to develop breakthrough solutions in areas such as carbon capture, biofuels, and hydrogen.

ExxonMobil is honored to be the Presenting Sponsor of the Golden Anniversary of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, taking our support of this world-renowned tradition to new heights.

On behalf of our employees who live As a leading energy producer in New Mexico, we are focused on responsibly developing the state’s and work in New Mexico, we look resources and doing our part to help realize New Mexicans’ aspirations for a prosperous and forward to seeing you when ExxonMobil’s sustainable future. This includes our aim to achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas Enchanted Horizons lifts off! emissions for our unconventional operations in the state by 2030.

Follow ustotolearn learn more about doing Follow us more about whatwhat we’re we’re doing today today for a brighter energy future tomorrow for a brighter energy future tomorrow.

ExxonMobilNewMexico ExxonMobilNewMexico

Welcome from the Governor, State of New Mexico

W

elcome to the Land of Enchantment!

I am delighted you are joining us for the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

For nine days, more than 500 balloons will fill the skies during one of our state’s most spectacular celebrations – and one of the most photographed events in the world!

I invite you to explore everything our state has to offer, from visiting a new restaurant for some of our famous red, green or “Christmas” chile, to hitting the trails in our beautiful state parks, to expanding your horizons with a visit to one of our world-renowned museums. New Mexico truly has something for everyone.

I hope you have the experience of a lifetime here in the Land of Enchantment.

Michelle Lujan Grisham Governor

10

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

New Mexico, we’ve come a long way from covered wagons.

Introducing our all-electric luxury lineup.

8900 Pan American Freeway, N.E. Albuquerque, NM 87113

Just 5 minutes away from Balloon Fiesta Park

Welcome from the Mayor, City of Albuquerque

D

ear Balloon Fiesta participants, guests, and sponsors; We are so excited to welcome you to Albuquerque for the 51st Annual International Balloon Fiesta. This festival is a pillar of our community, and a special tradition enjoyed by folks from our hometown and all over the world.

Whether it’s an early morning ascension or an evening glow, there are many different ways to see balloonists in action against the beautiful backdrop of our Sandia Mountains. This year, our Balloon Fiesta activities also happen to coincide with the 2023 annular solar eclipse.

Come witness this celestial event during the iconic Mass Ascension on October 14, and learn about our incredible universe from NASA experts who will be on-site.

We encourage everyone visiting to take the opportunity to explore Albuquerque and enjoy our unique culture while

12

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

you aren’t chasing balloons through the city or hanging out with family at Balloon Fiesta Park. From strolling through Old Town, to hiking through our colorful Bosque, to trying traditional New Mexican cuisine at one of our many family-owned restaurants, there are so many ways to make the most of your visit.

Thank you for celebrating the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta with us!

Sincerely, Timothy M. Keller Mayor

@VisitABQ

SEE ALBUQUERQUE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

EVERY TIME.

No matter how many times you set foot in Albuquerque, you’ll never run out of ways to celebrate the city’s culture, art, cuisine and more. From food trucks to fine dining and from museums to live music, there is always something new to find in Albuquerque.

Whether your plans include a bike ride, a hot air balloon ride or an aerial tram ride, each day is an adventure. For ideas, start at ABQ365. Our blog and calendar of events are the perfect tools for discovering all that Albuquerque has to offer. #TrueABQ

VisitABQ.org/ABQ365

Your Guide to Balloon Fiesta Events Morning Events: Albuquerque Aloft Friday, October 6 approximately 7:00 AM: On the Friday before Balloon Fiesta begins, balloons fly from schools in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. Some school PTAs sell food and hot beverages, making the Balloon Fiesta’s visit to their school a true community event.

Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort and Casino: 5:45 AM on Saturdays and Sundays: Inaugurated last year to celebrate the Balloon Fiesta’s 50th anniversary, the show was an instant hit, featuring hundreds of drones painting pictures in the sky. This year’s drone performance will be even more spectacular!

Dawn Patrol/Dawn Patrol Show presented

by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Park Daily: This “balloon glow in the sky” features as many as a dozen balloons. On Mass Ascension days, pilots perform the Dawn Patrol Show, a choreographed inflation and launch that has been part of the Balloon Fiesta since 1997.

Mass Ascensions/Krispy Kreme Morning Glow Weekends and Wednesday: The spectacular Mass Ascensions of hundreds of hot-air balloons are the Balloon Fiesta’s signature events and are preceded by the Krispy Kreme Morning Glow, a “mini” balloon glow. Special Mass Ascensions on Thursday and Friday October 12 and 13 feature “special shape” balloons.

14

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Fiesta de Los Globitos (Radio-Controlled Balloons): Sunday, October 8, Wednesday, October 11, Friday, October 13: This mini-mass ascension features one of the world’s largest gatherings of radio-controlled balloons. RC balloons, or “globitos,” are rapidly gaining in popularity, do not require a license to fly, and are opening the world of ballooning to a whole new group of enthusiasts.

Competitions: Weekdays: In ballooning competitions, pilots use winds at different altitudes to reach a target and drop a marker so it lands as close to the center of the target as possible. The competitions also feature the Pole Grab and Ring Toss, where pilots fly to poles at Balloon Fiesta Park to win fabulous prizes! Overall winners are determined by individual pilots’ cumulative scores during Balloon Fiesta week.

Flight of the Nations Wednesday, October 11: The Flight of the Nations at Wednesday’s Mass Ascension especially honors pilots from all the nations participating in Balloon Fiesta, many of whom launch flying their national flag.

Special Shape Rodeo Thursday and Friday, October 12 and 13: Celebrating their 34th year, these special mass ascensions especially showcase the incredible craftsmanship, creativity, and artistry that makes monsters, critters, and just about anything else you can imagine take flight.

Annular Eclipse Saturday morning, October 14 Balloon Fiesta Park is in the direct path of a very rare celestial event, an annular or “ring of fire” eclipse which will reach 90% of totality. That should occur at 10:34 AM and last nearly five minutes. Learn more about the annular eclipse on page 48.

Special Shape GlowdeoTM Thursday, October 12, and Friday, October 13: The fantastic special shape balloons are even more fantastic in the glow of early evening! The Special Shape Glowdeo features everyone’s favorite shapes, from bees to birds to bears. Come early, because this is one of the Balloon Fiesta’s most popular events!

And Don’t Miss!

Music FiestaTM Featuring Lee Brice Presented by Nash KRST 92.3 and Coca Cola 1 PM Saturday, October 14: This exciting afternoon event spotlights country music superstar Lee Brice, along with Runaway June and the pride of Bernalillo, Brandon Saiz.

Your admission also gets you into the Night Magic Glow and AfterGlow Fireworks Show!

For more on this event, visit page 20.

Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort and Casino: 7:45 PM on Saturday, October 7, Sunday, October 8, Thursday, October 12, Friday, October 13, and Saturday, October 14, immediately after the Glows note that times may change due to field and weather conditions. One of the Balloon Fiesta’s latest editions, guests love this show featuring hundreds of drones painting pictures in the sky.

Evening Events Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett: Gas Ballooning World Championships Launch window opens Saturday, October 7, approximately 6 PM: The Coupe Gordon Bennett is the world’s oldest and most prestigious air race, founded in 1906.

Eighteen championship teams from nine nations will try to outfly each other by achieving the greatest distance from Albuquerque. This is the first time in 15 years the race has been held in the U.S. You can learn more about this world-class event beginning on page 105.

Team FastraxTM Skydiving, sponsored by Accident Insurance Company, Inc. At all evening events: See the daring members of Team Fastrax thrill guests with precision skydiving performances featuring flags and pyrotechnics.

AfterGlowTM Fireworks Show Saturday, October 7, Sunday, October 8, Thursday, October 12, Friday, October 13, and Saturday, October 14, immediately after the Glows; note that AfterGlow times may change due to field and weather conditions. The fireworks shows at the Balloon Fiesta are some of the best performed anywhere! Plan to stay after the balloon glows to enjoy the spectacle!

And there’s still more to do!

Main Street shopping! Chainsaw Carving International! Fiesta of Wheels Car Show!

Kites! Pin trading! Balloon Discovery Center!

Artisans Tent! Main Stage performances!

Great American Kite Show and sand artist!

And more! Enjoy Balloon Fiesta’s many activities that don’t include balloons! Check online at BalloonFiesta.com or on our social media pages for details and times.

Balloon Glows Saturday, October 7, Sunday, October 8, powered by ExxonMobil, and Saturday, October 14: The static displays of illuminated balloons known as “Balloon Glows” are among the Balloon Fiesta’s most popular events. Special shape balloons have their own balloon glows on Thursday and Friday of Balloon Fiesta week.

A View From Above

15

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Schedule of Events FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6 7:00am Albuquerque Aloft (at local elementary schools) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 5:45am Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino 6:00am Dawn Patrol Show presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort 6:30am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow 7:00am Opening Ceremonies 7:00am Mass Ascension 8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 10:00am Chainsaw Carving Auction 2:00pm Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Inflation 3:00-6:00pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 4:00-5:00pm Great American Kite Show 5:00pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving, sponsored by Accident Insurance Company, Inc. 6:00pm Gordon Bennett Balloon Race Launch 6:00pm Twilight Twinkle Glow™ 7:30pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving, sponsored by Accident Insurance Company, Inc. 7:45pm Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino 8:00pm AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show* SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 5:45am Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino 6:00am Dawn Patrol Show presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort 6:30am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow 7:00am Mass Ascension 7:30-11:00am Fiestas de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition) 8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 9:00am Fiesta of Wheels Car Show (located on north end of launch field) 10:00am Chainsaw Carving Auction 11:00am Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading (Group Tour Tent, north end of Main Street) 3:00-6:00pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 4:00-5:00pm Great American Kite Show 5:00pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving, sponsored by Accident Insurance Company, Inc. 6:00pm Balloon Glow, powered by ExxonMobil 7:30pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving, sponsored by Accident Insurance Company, Inc. 7:45pm Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino 8:00pm AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show* MONDAY, OCTOBER 9 6:00am Dawn Patrol 7:00am Balloon Launch 8:00am Fly In Competition Launch 8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10 | COCA-COLA DAY 6:00am Dawn Patrol 7:00am Balloon Launch 8:00am Fly In Competition Launch 8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11 6:00am Dawn Patrol Show, presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort 6:30am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow 7:00am Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension 7:30-11:00am Fiestas de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloon Exhibition) 8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12 6:00am Dawn Patrol 7:00am Special Shape Rodeo™ 7:00am Balloon Launch 8:00am Fly In Competition Launch 8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 10:00am Chainsaw Carving Auction 3:00-6:00pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 4:00-5:00pm Great American Kite Show 5:00pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving, sponsored by Accident Insurance Company, Inc. 6:00pm Special Shape Glowdeo™ 7:30pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving, sponsored by Accident Insurance Company, Inc. 7:45pm Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino 8:00pm AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show* FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 | KIDS’ DAY SPONSORED BY CHICK-FIL-A 4:30 am Kids’ Day Goodie Bag Distribution begins (South of the Main Street Stage) 6:00am Dawn Patrol 7:00am Special Shape Rodeo™ 7:00am Balloon Launch 7:30-11:00am Fiestas de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloon Exhibition) 8:00am Fly In Competition Launch 8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 10:00am Chainsaw Carving Auction 3:00-6:00pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 4:00-5:00pm Great American Kite Show 5:00pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving, sponsored by Accident Insurance Company, Inc. 6:00pm Special Shape Glowdeo™ 7:30pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving, sponsored by Accident Insurance Company, Inc. 7:45pm Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino 8:00pm AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show* SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 | EXXONMOBIL DAY 5:45am Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino 6:00am Dawn Patrol Show presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort 6:30am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow 7:00am Mass Ascension, powered by ExxonMobil 8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 9:13am-12:09pm Annular Solar Eclipse 10:00-11:00am Great American Kite Show 10:00am Chainsaw Carving Auction 10:15am Eclipse Balloon Glow 11:00am Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading (Group Tour Tent, north end of Main Street) 1:00-5:00pm Music Fiesta™ 3:00-6:00pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition 5:00pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving, sponsored by Accident Insurance Company, Inc. 6:00pm Night Magic™ Glow, powered by ExxonMobil 6:00pm Fiestas de Los Globitos Glow (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition) 7:30pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving, sponsored by Accident Insurance Company, Inc. 7:45pm Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino 8:00pm AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show* SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15 5:45am Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino 6:00am Dawn Patrol Show presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort 6:30am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow 7:00am Farewell Mass Ascension, presented by News Radio 770 KKOB 8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition *AfterGlow™ fireworks shows and Drone Show will begin as soon as the launch field is clear of balloons, thus the starting times are approximate and subject to change without notice. Additionally, local police will modify traffic flows to utilize all traffic lanes for outbound traffic only at the conclusion of each glow event. So, if you want to watch the AfterGlow™ fireworks shows from the Park, plan to arrive at the Park in time for that evening’s glow event.

16

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Balloon Fiesta®

Points of Interest

ADMISSION

Admission is $15 for adults (13 and over). Children 12 and under are FREE. Adults, 13 years and older will be required to pay an admission charge for each morning or evening session they attend. No refunds are available but tickets for cancelled sessions may be used as a raincheck for future sessions. We have also indicated the gates that have our ticket booths.

ARTISANS TENT

Artisans at Balloon Fiesta® is the only art and craft show found on-site at Balloon Fiesta and is free with your admission in to the event. The Artisan tent is at the north end of Main Street and features over 20 artisans selected to participate. There is a little something for everyone, so be sure to stroll through our tent and take home a wonderful handcrafted souvenir.

BALLOON DISCOVERY CENTER

Interactive balloon exhibits demonstrate the principles of lighter-than-air flight and the history of ballooning.

Morning Sessions 5:30 -10:30am Evening Sessions 3:30 - 7:30pm.

BALLOON RIDES

Experience the joy of ballooning with a balloon ride during Balloon Fiesta. Call Rainbow Ryders at 505-823-1111 or visit rainbowryders.com.

CANTINA

Located on the east side of the park on Main Street, mid-field serving drinks.

CHASERS' CLUB

This package includes: admission to the event, guaranteed seating in an open-air patio next to the launch field, food, private restrooms and access to a full cash bar.

CHASE CREW HEADQUARTERS Sign up to be Chase Crew daily.

- Morning Events - 5:30 am - 9:00 am - Evening Events - 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm FIESTA SKY BOX

This is an all-inclusive VIP package that includes: premium parking, admission to the event, specialty grazing boxes, host bar, restrooms and private access to a specially designed shipping container with a patio located on the launch field.

GONDOLA CLUB

Experience the event away from the crowds in a VIP open air patio. Your ticket includes: admission to the event, parking, seating, premium buffet, host bar, private restrooms, golf cart shuttle service from the parking area and more.

MAIN STREET

Food and Merchandise available. Booths 1-176 south to north.

MAIN STREET STAGE - DAILY ENTERTAINMENT PARK HOURS

Gates open: Morning Sessions 4:30 am Evening Sessions 3:00 pm. Gates close: 10:00 pm.

PARKING

From the east side of Albuquerque, take Exit 233 (Alameda) or Exit 234 (Tramway) off I-25 and follow the signs. From the west side of Albuquerque, east on Alameda Blvd. and follow the signs. Parking is $20. Detailed parking maps are available online at balloonfiesta.com.

Multiple session parking passes may be purchased in advance at the Balloon Fiesta office. Please remember your gate color and number when entering Balloon Fiesta Park.

PARK & RIDE

Let us do the driving! Purchase your Park & Ride tickets online and save. For hours, locations and services visit balloonfiesta.com under Guest Info tab.

REMOTE CONTROL BALLOONS

These are miniature balloons powered by remote control. They are 25’ tall versus a standard balloon that is almost 100’ tall. There are round balloons and special shapes. They do not require pilot certification, can be do-it-yourself and they do not carry passengers. Just fun for all!

RV PARKS

There are several RV parks at Balloon Fiesta Park.

STATUS FLAG

Please check the flag on this pole for the status of the day's balloon activities: GREEN - all flights or inflations are “go” YELLOW - flights or inflations are either on “hold” or the decision has not yet been made RED - flights and inflations for that session have been cancelled.

TAG YOUR TOTS - Sponsored by KRQE News 13/Fox New Mexico Reuniting lost children with their parents quickly and safely is the aim of a free wristband plan operated by the NM State Police.

Survival Map 18

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

GATES

TICKET BOOTHS

ENTERTAINMENT 1) MAIN STREET STAGE 2) CHAINSAW CARVERS 3) ARTISANS TENT 4) MUSIC FIESTA 5) KIDS ZONE

OFFICIAL PARK LOCATIONS A) GONDOLA CLUB B) SPONSOR HOSPITALITY C) CORPORATE VILLAGE D) SID CUTTER PILOTS’ PAVILION E) CHASERS’ CLUB F) GROUP TOURS HOSPITALITY G) BALLOON DISCOVERY CENTER H) FIESTA SKY BOX

M) OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE TENTS

SPECIAL AREAS A) VISIT ALBUQUERQUE MEDIA TENT B) BALLOON MANUFACTURERS C) VISIT ALBUQUERQUE & NEW MEXICO TRUE VISITOR INFORMATION D) BALLOON RIDES TENT E) S.A.V.E Sponsored by Poulin Design Center

INFORMATION

A View From Above

19

2023 Music Fiesta

TM

Sponsored by 92.3 KRST Country and Coca-Cola® Lee Brice | Runaway June | Brandon Saiz

If you’re a country music fan, Balloon Fiesta Park is the place to be on the second Saturday of October! Every year, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s annual Music Fiesta hosts hot young country artists for an afternoon of music and fun.

Plan to stay for the Night Magic Balloon Glow and AfterGlow Fireworks!

TM

20

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

TM

Lee Brice

Lee Brice GRAMMY nominee, CMA and ACM award winner, singersongwriter, entrepreneur, and proud father of three: Lee Brice is all of these and more. Lee has nine #1-selling singles to his credit, including “Memory I Don’t Mess With,” ASCAP’s 2021 Country Song of the Year and 3x Platinum track “One of Them Girls,”, and the 4x Platinum hit “Rumor,” which was nominated in the category Single of The Year at the 55th Annual ACM Awards. Lee’s song with Carly Pearce, “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” earned Musical Event of the Year honors at the 54th CMA Awards and Single of the Year and Music Event of the Year at

the 56th ACM Awards. One of the most-played country artists of all time on Pandora, he was the second country artist behind Keith Urban to receive the Pandora Billionaire plaque. He’s performed on numerous TV shows, his tours sell out arenas, and Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney and others have recorded his songs. Some of his other hits include “A Woman Like You,” “Hard to Love,” “I Drive Your Truck,” “I Don’t Dance,” and “Drinking Class.” Lee’s latest album, “Hey World,” is certified Platinum and features current radio single “Save the Roses.”

A View From Above

21

Runaway June Strong-minded, soft-hearted, and wildly free-spirited, Runaway June band members Jennifer Wayne, Natalie Stovall and Stevie Woodward possesses the kind of powerhouse talent and radiant charisma that fully commands the spotlight and stirs up a whole world of feeling. The trio already has earned nominations from the Academy of Country Music Awards and the CMT Music Awards, brought their electrifying live set to spots on tour with Country icons like Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan, and scored a major radio hit with their GOLD-certified breakthrough single “Buy My Own Drinks.”

Other hits include “Make Me Wanna Smoke,” and the heartbreak rocker “Broken Hearts (Do Broken Things).” “You typically don’t see women shredding onstage the way we do, and I think people really love seeing how much fun we have up there,” says Woodward.

Wayne adds, “My favorite thing is when people say to us, ‘We can tell how much fun you girls are having onstage, and it makes us feel good too.”

Runaway June

Brandon Saiz Influenced by his father, Brandon Saiz has been around the music industry his entire life. Born and raised in Bernalillo, New Mexico he grew up listening to greats such as Merle Haggard, Garth Brooks, and George Strait. Brandon has since honed his unique country sound and energetic performances with his 2019 single release “Tequila & Two Step” that has been streamed over 100,000 times in over 67 countries, and has released two other singles “That’ll Make You a Cowboy” and “A World I’ve Never Had.” The Brandon Saiz Band has shared the stage with Nashville recording artists Love & Theft, Josh Grider, Josh Ward, David Adam Byrnes, William Michael Morgan and many more, and performed at venues and festivals throughout New Mexico, Colorado and surrounding states.

The fun begins at 1 PM, and Music Fiesta fans may choose from a wide variety of ticket options, including our “Dance Box”, a grassy area right in front of the stage for those who want to kick off their shoes and dance all afternoon! And for those who want a true V.I.P. experience, the Balloon Fiesta also offers a very special “Ultimate Music Fiesta Package” at $499 which includes exclusive front-row seating, dinner in the Gondola Club following the concert, preferred parking, and lots of other goodies. Full details and tickets are available at Balloon Fiesta gates or through the Balloon Fiesta website, www.balloonfiesta.com.

Brandon Saiz

Music Fiesta Ticket Options ABQ “Dance” Box - Ticket required for persons of all ages.

$75

Reserved Seating A and C - Ticket required for persons of all ages.

$65

Reserved Seating E - Ticket required for persons of all ages.

$60

Reserved Seating D and F - Ticket required for persons of all ages.

$55

Premier Lawn Area (Children 12 and under admitted free when accompanied by an adult.)

$30

General Admission (Children 12 and under admitted free when $15 accompanied by an adult.)

Music Fiesta is rain or shine: no refunds

22

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

OFFICIAL IMPORT BEER PARTNER

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

ENJOY XX® RESPONSIBLY. ©2022 DOS EQUIS® XX SPECIAL LAGER. DOS EQUIS® XX AMBAR BEER. IMPORTED BY CERVEZAS MEXICANAS, WHITE PLAINS, NY.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

2023 Entertainment Schedule PERFORMER

24

PERFORMANCE AREA

DAY

DATE

TIME

Enchanted Mesa Show Chorus

National Anthem

Saturday

10/7/23

6:45AM

Cellicion Traditional Zuni Dance Group

Main Street Stage

Saturday

10/7/23

9:00AM - 10:00AM

USAF Academy Band

Main Street Stage

Saturday

10/7/23

5:00PM - 6:00PM

Black Pearl Band NM

Main Street Stage

Saturday

10/7/23

8:00PM - 9:00PM

Mariachi Amigos de Nuevo México

Main Street - NORTH

Saturday

10/7/23

9:30 AM - 10:30AM

Baila! Baila! Dance Academy

Main Street - SOUTH

Saturday

10/7/23

9:30 AM - 10:30AM

Mariachi Tenampa

Main Street - NORTH

Saturday

10/7/23

5:00PM - 6:00PM

Baila! Baila! Dance Academy

Main Street - SOUTH

Saturday

10/7/23

5:00PM - 6:00PM

USAF Academy Band

National Anthem

Sunday

10/8/23

7:00AM

USAF Academy Band

Main Street Stage

Sunday

10/8/23

9:00AM - 10:00AM

The Panhandlers

Main Street Stage

Sunday

10/8/23

5:00PM -6:00PM

Austin Van

Main Street Stage

Sunday

10/8/23

8:00PM - 9:00PM

Mariachi Tenampa

Main Street - NORTH

Sunday

10/8/23

9:30 AM - 10:30AM

Baila! Baila! Dance Academy

Main Street - SOUTH

Sunday

10/8/23

9:30 AM - 10:30AM

Mariachi Amigos de Nuevo México

Main Street - NORTH

Sunday

10/8/23

5:00PM - 6:00PM

Baila! Baila! Dance Academy

Main Street - SOUTH

Sunday

10/8/23

5:00PM - 6:00PM

Leah Black

National Anthem

Monday

10/9/23

7:00AM

Suzan Tipton

National Anthem

Tuesday

10/10/23

7:00AM

The New MexiChords

National Anthem

Wednesday

10/11/23

7:00AM

Erin Michelle

National Anthem

Thursday

10/12/23

7:00AM

Erin Michelle

Main Street Stage

Thursday

10/12/23

9:00AM - 10:00AM

Derryl Perry

Main Street Stage

Thursday

10/12/23

5:00PM - 6:00PM

Mountain Top Rock

Main Street Stage

Thursday

10/12/23

8:00PM - 9:00PM

Mariachi Tenampa

Main Street - NORTH

Thursday

10/12/23

9:30 AM - 10:30AM

Baila! Baila! Dance Academy

Main Street - SOUTH

Thursday

10/12/23

9:30 AM - 10:30AM

Mariachi Amigos de Nuevo México

Main Street - NORTH

Thursday

10/12/23

5:00PM - 6:00PM

Baila! Baila! Dance Academy

Main Street - SOUTH

Thursday

10/12/23

5:00PM - 6:00PM

Albuquerque Girl Choir

National Anthem

Friday

10/13/23

7:00AM

Kallestewa Dance Group

Main Street Stage

Friday

10/13/23

9:00AM - 10:00AM

Sim Balkey and His Honky Tonk Crew

Main Street Stage

Friday

10/13/23

5:00PM - 6:00PM

Sim Balkey and His Honky Tonk Crew

Main Street Stage

Friday

10/13/23

8:00PM - 9:00PM

Mariachi Tenampa

Main Street - NORTH

Friday

10/13/23

9:30 AM - 10:30AM

Baila! Baila! Dance Academy

Main Street - SOUTH

Friday

10/13/23

9:30 AM - 10:30AM

Mariachi Amigos de Nuevo México

Main Street - NORTH

Friday

10/13/23

5:00PM - 6:00PM

Baila! Baila! Dance Academy

Main Street - SOUTH

Friday

10/13/23

5:00PM - 6:00PM

44th Army Band

National Anthem

Saturday

10/14/23

7:00AM

44th Army Band

Main Street Stage

Saturday

10/14/23

9:00AM - 10:00AM

Nathaniel Krantz

Main Street Stage

Saturday

10/14/23

8:00PM - 9:00PM

Mariachi Amigos de Nuevo México

Main Street - NORTH

Saturday

10/14/23

9:30 AM - 10:30AM

Baila! Baila! Dance Academy

Main Street - SOUTH

Saturday

10/14/23

9:30 AM - 10:30AM

Mariachi Tenampa

Main Street - NORTH

Saturday

10/14/23

5:00PM - 6:00PM

Baila! Baila! Dance Academy

Main Street - SOUTH

Saturday

10/14/23

5:00PM - 6:00PM

Entourage Jazz

Sponsor Hospitality

Saturday

10/14/23

5:00PM - 6:30PM

Vohn

National Anthem

Sunday

10/15/23

7:00AM

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

2023 Officers

Judith K. Nakamura

Neil Jackson

PRESIDENT

Jeff Lawrence

VICE PRESIDENT

Mark Sullivan

TREASURER

SECRETARY

2023 Board Of Directors

26

J.R. Allison

Tania Armenta

Raymond Bair

Gary Bennett

Peg Billson

Jay Czar

John C. Davis IV

Barbara Fricke

Jim Garcia

Matt Guthrie

Steven A. Komadina, M.D.

Rodney A. May

Tom McConnell, M.D.

Dick Rice

Doug Schwebach

Harry Season

John Sena

Al Tetreault

Bill Walker

Ty Young

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

2023 Staff

Amanda Brady

TRANSPORTATION MANAGER

Tom Garrity

MEDIA DIRECTOR

Mike McKnight

Taylor Caldwell

Mary Chando

Shamaine Giannini

Martha Gonzales

PILOT COORDINATOR

VIP HOSPITALITY MANAGER

Andie Mercer

IS MANAGER

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE

Stephanie Prendergast

Jennifer Schurman

SPONSORSHIP SALES DIRECTOR

RV MANAGER

BOOKKEEPER

CONTROLLER

Cavell Miller

RECEPTIONIST

Jory Slingerland

SPONSORSHIP SALES ASSISTANT

Curt Dahlquest

Damien Duran-Arias

Erica Hahn

Tracey Hawkins

WAREHOUSE MANAGER

CONCESSIONS/ARTISANS/MAIN NAVIGATOR MANAGER/ STREET ENTERTAINMENT/ BALLOON DISCOVERY MUSIC FIESTA CENTER

Amanda Molina

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE

Ken Tuley

VIDEO PRODUCER

2023 Balloon Fiesta Live! Hosts and PA Announcers Glen Moyer Art Lloyd Jr.

Stage Announcer Bill Royal

28

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

FIELD MANAGER

Lisa Mulder

MERCHANDISE MANAGER

Sean Wallace

PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR

Jennifer Garcia

EVENT DIRECTOR

Chani Kaibetoney

ASSISTANT MERCHANDISE MANAGER

Sam Parks

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DAILY FLIGHTS YEAR ROUND O F F I C I A L

R I D E

OPERATOR

Picture This AVAILABLE NOW

505.823.1111

NEW MEXICO | ARIZONA | COLORADO

RAINBOW RYDERS HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE COMPANY

2023 Officials Balloonmeister Henry Rosenbaum Assistant Balloonmeister Peg Billson Safety Officials Tom Bueno, Chief Safety Official Melissa Bond Neida Courtney Bueno Henry Gabaldon Mike Garcia Alex Jonard II Ted Maes Bill Noe Dale Pattyn Chuck Raskob Thomas Schroeder Paul Suttle Dave Tennis Administrative Assistant Lyn Kirkwood Scanning Lead Monica Jonard Weather Officials Brad Temeyer, Chief Weather Official Duncan Dunavent Katherine Kelly Randy Lefevre Caryn Welz Landowner Relations Nancy Wertz, Chief Landowner Relations Official Wally Book Karen Brown Jim Holley Nancy Holley Larry Merry Janette Stone Orbin Stone Balloon Refueling Area Mike Chandler, Balloon Refueling Chief

30

Scoring Officials Rita Brennan, Chief Scoring Official Jon Kirkwood, Assistant Chief Scoring Official Amy Asper, Chief of Targets John Abel Joyce Abel Patty Biddison John Brennan Melissa Brennan Taylor Currier Mike Gilligan Sean Healy Harold Jackson Blake Jordan Carl Kinnard Susan Kinnard Bob Lucero

Penny Lucero Jay Luna Tammy Luna Becca McConaghy Jürgen Rimac Karin Rimac Patricia Ann Rudy-Baese Virginia Sanchez Debbie Taylor Sharon Welz-Garassino Pam Wilson Steve Wilson

Launch Directors Michelle Healy, Chief Launch Director Chris Padilla, Assistant Chief Launch Director Cliff Holman, North/South Section Lead Lynn Tillery, North/South Section Lead Jay Pape, Assistant South Section Lead Anna Brody, Assistant North Section Lead Joseph Ballengee Zachary Brandon Bill Brennan Kat Brennan Elisa Bustamante Tom Christopher David Crossland Jeff Dill Ethan Dixon Adam Ewert Karen Fleetwood Deztini Ford Kevin French Larry Gensinger Debbie Gonzales Ruben Gonzales Theodore Gransbury Bill Hurlbert Kim Kelbe Scott Lang Shawn Leonard Alice Lindsay Rachael Lujan Danny McCoy Martha McKinney

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Lora McKown Christina Meadows Jeanie Moughan Karen Nordquist Caitlin Odom Sarah Pearson Katrin Phillips Ron Phillips Emily Pine Bill Rager Jeff Renegar Debbie Sanchez Samantha Sanchez Daniel Schulz Nicole Tagart Mike Taylor Michael Trahan Laura Virgin Lawrence Wambold Kimberly Whiteman Rachel Wills Daniel Wilson Janice Wrhel Glenn Young Michael Zink

Remembering Doug Gallagher The Balloon Fiesta® depends on the expertise of skilled pilots and officials to coordinate a safe and fun event for pilots and guests. Doug Gallagher was both. In 1979, Doug became a launch director, moving up the ranks to become Chief Launch Officer (1982), Assistant Balloonmeister (1984), and Balloonmeister (1985). After taking a few years “off” to fly in the Balloon Fiesta as a pilot, Doug became a Safety Officer in 1994 and served in that capacity for more than a quarter of a century, through last year.

Doug passed away this summer, and the Balloon Fiesta misses him and mourns his loss.

.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Official Sponsors Presenting Sponsor ExxonMobil Official Sponsors 96.3 News Radio KKOB-FM Voice of Balloon Fiesta Accident Insurance Company, Inc. Team Fastrax™ Albertsons Market Supermarket BayoTech, Inc. Hydrogen Sponsor of 66th Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett Chick-fil-A Kids’ Day Coca-Cola Soft Drink Creamland Dairies Dairy Dos Equis Import Beer Dunkin’ Coffee Isleta Resort & Casino Launch Field Pylons Jameson Irish Whiskey Whiskey Jose Cuervo Tequila Tequila Krispy Kreme Krispy Kreme Morning Glow Lovelace Health System Healthcare Provider Netflix Media, LLC Balloon Basket Banners New Mexico Bank & Trust Bank New Mexico True Flight of Nations PNC Bank Balloon Discovery Center

32

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Poulin Remodeling, Inc. S.A.V.E Vehicle Sandia Resort & Casino Drone Light Show Three Olives Vodka Vodka University of New Mexico Sports Properties Balloon Trading Cards Visit Albuquerque Visitors Xfinity Navigators

Sponsors A Virtual Receptionist, Inc. Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program AMERIND Benefits, LLC Arizona Tile Baca’s Trees, Inc. Begum & Cowen, LLC Bobby J’s Yamaha Books on the Bosque, LLCC Cabela’s, LLC Cameron Balloons Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Cavender’s Chalmers Ford, Inc. Chevrolet City of Page, Arizona City of Rio Rancho Coronado Center Cottonwood Mall Digitool, USA Donate Life - New Mexico Donor Services Dreamstyle Remodeling Electric Playhouse, Inc. Farmers Insurance, Rod Baca Agency Federal Aviation Division Federal Bureau of Investigation Fidelity Investments First Financial Credit Union Ford Motor Company Frost Mortgage Banking Group HollyFrontier Refining & Marketing, LLC Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Jennifer Riordan Foundation Kampgrounds of America, Inc.

Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque KOB-TV KRQE News 13/FOX New Mexico Kubicek Balloons LeafFilter North, LLC Lectric eBikes LightHouse Business Information Solutions, LLC Lindstrand Balloons, USA Meow Wolf Mission Linen Molson Coors NASA NATCA National Park Service Niagara Bottling, LLC New Mexico State University NUPAC of New Mexico Occidental USA, Inc. Open Roads PlainsCapital Bank | Hilltop Securities Preventive Pest Control, LLC Rainbow Ryders, Inc. RAKS Building Supply Re/Max Marketing Fund, LLC Realty One of New Mexico Republic National Distributing Company, Inc. Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network Route 66 Casino Hotel & RV Resort RPS Siarza Social Digital Sullair, LLC Sumo TBC General Contracting Team R&S Powersports Group Team Texas Telemundo of New Mexico, LLC The Garrity Group Public Relations, LLC The Maez Group TLC Plumbing & Utility T-Mobile USA, Inc. TransPerfect Global, Inc. UltraMagic, S.A. United States Coast Guard Recruiting Office UNM Health Sciences Center Waste Management of New Mexico Westwind Computer Products, Inc. Wonder Bread Xfinity

Balloon Fiesta

®

Photography Tips Have Fun and Be Unique Here are some tips for getting amazing images of this spectacular event!

Dawn Patrol

Now That You See What A Pilot Sees

Mass Ascension

Balloon Glow

Rising into the dark skies each morning is the Dawn Patrol. At about 6:00 am every day, Dawn Patrol pilots launch into the sky with only their burners to light the way.

Pro Tip: Early in the morning, we suggest using a tripod and remote. If you use your tripod and have an IS lens, make sure you turn off the IS function while you shoot. Since the balloons lift off while it’s still dark outside, a wide-angle lens is ideal.

Imagine seeing nothing but 600 brightly colored orbs and shape balloons where ever you look. Pilots will fire up their burners, shooting flames into the balloons to inflate them.

Pro Tips: Use a wide-angle lens to get photos of the ground activity. Use a telephoto-zoom lens to get detail shots or portraits of reactions in the crowd. Shooting with the sun rising behind the balloons will provide some beautiful silhouettes and add ambiance to the scene.

Special Shape Balloons

The Special Shape Rodeo™ and Special Shape Glowdeo™ are big hits with kids of all ages!

Pro Tips: Frame other balloons with the ones in the foreground.

Use special shape balloons as fun backdrops for family photos and selfies.

Balloons In Flight

By this point in the morning, the horizon will be awash with vibrant colors as balloons inflate and take to the skies to fly across the valley.

Pro Tips: Once the sun is on the rise, try to shoot with the sun to your side or back. At this position you can use it to better show the curve of the balloons and illuminate their colors.

34

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Going on a balloon ride? Get your camera in either Auto or P (Program) Mode so you can focus on your aerial experience instead of the camera settings.

Pro Tips: Now would be a great time to bring a point-and-shoot.

Neck straps and wrist straps are your best friend. With your camera properly secured to your person, you can feel more confident shooting extreme angles.

This sets the mood for a magical evening. Don’t miss the random twinkling lights of balloons just before the order for an ”All Glow”, when a warm light illuminates the entire field.

Pro Tips: Adjust your angle. Set-up your gear with the main field in front of you and the mountainside behind you, for the best shots. Use a tripod and a wireless remote or cable release to reduce motion blur.

Fireworks

Getting your camera dialed-in to the correct settings can make or break a fantastic light display.

Pro Tips: Fireworks need long exposure times, so use a tripod for this event. A remote or cable release prevents accidental camera shake to you get clear, sharp images. Use a longer shutter speed to increase the trails of the fireworks.

Be Creative: Whether you’re going for a day or the entire Balloon Fiesta, there are plenty of chances to grab amazing shots.

While we’ve suggested some camera settings here, the ultimate goal is for you to have fun! Find your own style and see what you like best.

Providing Workers' Compensation solutions for small to mid-sized employers.

Proud sponsor of the 2023 Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

accinsco.com

Spectator Safety Tips Lovelace Health System is proud to be the official health care provider for the 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®.

Below is a list of helpful safety tips to help you enjoy your visit in good health:

Limit alcohol consumption. Remember, you’re at a mile-high altitude, which could increase alcohol’s impact.

Dress in layers. It’s sometimes very cool in the morning, but after sunrise it will warm up noticeably.

Bring water. Stay hydrated throughout the day.

Bring sunscreen. At a higher altitude you’re at an increased risk for sunburn.

Bring appropriate eye protection. Sun and wind could be your enemies on a sunny or windy day.

Don’t smoke anywhere near the balloons. A lit cigarette could possibly ignite a balloon’s propane fuel tank.

Watch where you’re going. Beware of vehicles moving around the field, especially emergency vehicles trying to get through the crowd.

Bring a flashlight for evening events. Also, take note of where you parked your car—it’s more difficult to find in the dark.

Clean your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Cover your coughs and sneezes.

Lovelace Health System’s emergency medical professionals provide on-site emergency medical care for problems ranging from minor scrapes to heart attacks. Lovelace’s medical volunteers will be located at the Lovelace First Aid Center.

Choose a place to meet in case someone gets separated or lost. Make sure young children have some form of identification on them.

Don’t “drive and watch” at the same time. The balloons are a magnificent but distracting sight. Move completely off to the side of the road to watch.

36

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

* © 2023 Lovelace Health System All rights reserved. These materials may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without crediting Lovelace for use.

Bound to Read The Balloon Fiesta in Words and Pictures

By Tom McConnell MD for the AIBF Heritage Committee

S

ince its beginnings, the color, beauty, and sheer excitement of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® have inspired writers, artists, and photographers to set down their impressions in print.

The Balloon Fiesta appears as a setting in novels, as line drawings in children’s coloring books, and in countless magazine articles.

Trying to compile a list of everything written about Balloon Fiesta would be a Herculean task well beyond the scope of this article. But for those who want to broaden their knowledge about the event, revel in incredible pictures, or give their children a Balloon Fiesta book of their very own, this article describes how the Balloon Fiesta’s official publications and other notable histories were created, and how (or if) you can get your very own copies.

38

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

There have been official copyrighted writings about the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (AIBF) since the first event in 1972, including the 51 official programs. (The programs, which contain hundreds of articles and thousands of pages of other information, can be viewed on the Balloon Fiesta website, balloonfiesta.com.) These official books were and are intended to explain, educate, inform and bring back fond memories of Balloon Fiesta.

There have been twelve bound books, produced by volunteers and staff under the auspices and/or copyright of AIBF. Six other books worth mentioning are also detailed in the following pages. These latter six were not published or copyrighted by AIBF or its close collaborators, but have everything to do with Balloon Fiesta in one way or another.

In chronological order, these first 12 books are:

1

Fiesta Memories (or Fiesta Memories 93)) was written by Patrick Lee, with Peter Richardson as principal photographer, and was copyrighted and published by Balloon Passion Communication in 1993-94. It was printed by Guynes in Albuquerque, NM. It is 60 pages of Balloon Fiesta photos with captions related to mass ascensions, night glow, the Coupe Gordon Bennet (this was the first time this famous gas race was held in the U.S.A. since 1933!), special shaped balloons, awards and more.

In 1993, our event was called the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Kodak being a major sponsor.

2

In 1996, Kim Vesely, Steve Young, Marjorie Shapiro Stein, Sid Cutter and several others including staff and volunteers from KRQE-TV and the Balloon Fiesta collaborated on the second official book about the Balloon Fiesta. This “official commemorative edition” was produced on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the April 1972 balloon event organized by Sid Cutter and KOB Radio. It was called Albuquerque, Where the World Celebrates Ballooning.

Ballooning This 120-page book was published

by American & World Geographic Publishing Company in both softbound and hardbound versions. The softbound version sold for $15.95, while the hardbound book sold for $29.95. Sid Cutter wrote the introduction, while Kim Vesely and Marjorie Stein wrote all of the rest of the text. Steve Young and Fern Saltzman and many others contributed the outstanding color photographs. Jim Thompson, VP and General Manager for New Mexico Broadcasting Co., Inc. (KRQE-TV) wrote the end-piece for this book. The book is now out of print.

A View From Above

39

3

In 2003, another book entitled Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, written by Tom Garrity and his P.R. staff, and celebrating the 32nd Balloon Fiesta, was published and copyrighted by The Creative Company of Lawrenceburg, IN, R. L. Ruehrwein, Publisher.

This book is believed to be out of print, and its price is unknown.

4

A confidential and proprietary book was produced in 2007 for the Board of Directors of AIBF by Marshall Monroe Magic entitled Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® Futures Initiative.

This book was a compendium of creative ideas and strategy for planning purposes, requested by the 2006 AIBF Board of Directors. Subjects discussed include branding, logos, key statistics, sponsorships, vending, visual and color language, promotion and marketing, external contexts, sport development, live entertainment, educational activities, physical attractions and more. This book is not available, but has served - and is serving - as a guide to future possibilities for AIBF. Its 108 pages are filled with drawings, photos, ideology, history and possibilities. Produced and published

by Marshall Monroe Magic. This book is out of print and was not available to the public.

5

In 2007, another official softcover book was produced by AIBF for the 36th Balloon Fiesta, this one with photographs by Raymond Watt, Cindy Petrehn and others from stock AIBF photos.

This book, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, has both excellent photos and explanatory text about all the various aspects of Balloon Fiesta, including how balloons fly (both gas and hot-air), events within the greater event, competition, behind-the-scenes information, weather and memorabilia. The book was written by Nathan James from Synch, Inc. and contains 52 pages, counting front and back covers. It was designed by Debi Kline of Synch, Albuquerque, and printed

by Albuquerque Printing Co. There are nine chapters, including How Balloons Fly, Events, Competitions, Gondola Club and more. This book was priced at $20.00, and is no longer in print.

40

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

6

To commemorate the 40th Balloon Fiesta (2011), four writers/editors from the AIBF Heritage Committee (Dick Brown, Tom McConnell, Paul Rhetts and Kim Vesely) agreed to produce a book which would be part historical, part promotion and part excellent color photos. Three of these editors are long-time balloon pilots who also have long writing careers in various fields. The fourth person, a long-time and savvy crew person for a famous Albuquerque balloon, was coincidentally a graphics designer, an author, and a publisher of many kinds of books.

This two and one-half-year collaboration resulted in The World Comes to Albuquerque, The Dream Takes Flight, a 190-page compilation of previously published stories mostly taken from previous Balloon Fiesta programs, beautiful color photos, a foreword by the editors, an introduction by our founder Sid Cutter (his last words on the subject, since he died shortly before the book’s release), and historical text. This book won Best of Show at the 2011 New Mexico Book Awards. The price of the softback version was $19.95 and for the hard-back version, $39.95.

Published by Rio Grande Books in collaboration with AIBF, both versions of this book sold out midway during the 40th Balloon Fiesta and are no longer in print.

7

Beginning in 2012 and over the next five years, executives from Arcadia Publishing Company approached the Balloon Fiesta’s Executive Director expressing their interest in producing a book about the Balloon Fiesta. At that time, Arcadia was a large-scale publisher of 6 by 9-inch black & white soft-cover books about many different subjects, often historical, geographical, famous construction projects and the like. This request was always delegated to the AIBF Heritage Committee, and the committee, on at least three occasions, turned them down.

The concern was that, since Arcadia published only in black and white and balloons are all about color, a black-and-white book would not do justice to the Balloon Fiesta Arcadia persisted, finally coming up with a color option for their publishing concept. They approached AIBF again, and this time the committee said OK. So, for the 45th celebration of Balloon Fiesta, seven balloonists from the Heritage Committee (Dick Brown, John Davis, Charlotte Kinney, Tom McConnell, Dick Rice, John Sena, and Kim Vesely) wrote and edited a 95-page book called Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. In keeping with Arcadia’s format, it takes a historical approach and primarily consists of photographs, along with some text and a caption for each photo. Published by Arcadia in 2017, there is an introduction and six chapters focusing on an overview, special events, mass ascensions, competition, behind the scenes and faces of Balloon Fiesta. The color photos are spectacular, and the captions carefully explain what is happening in the photo. The price of this soft-cover book is $22.99 and it is still in print.

A View From Above

41

8

Molly Covington wrote, and Annette Puccini illustrated, two children’s books, The Southwest Sunrise Surprise (2014) and The Southwest Sunset Surprise (2016). These books were copyrighted and published by the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and printed in the USA. In the story, three kids are awakened at 4:30 a.m. by their mom to go on a surprise adventure. Turns out, they’re going to Balloon Fiesta, and see many magnificent sights of colorful balloons everywhere. They want to know if they can come back tomorrow.

42

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

9

The second book relates the story of an evening filled with non-flying balloons at Balloon Glow, where hundreds of balloons fire up their burners after dark to fill the launch site with more magic all-burns, “count-down burns”, “flicker-burns,” and at the end, a spectacular fireworks display. The prose in both books more or less rhymes, so we might call these poetry books. The price for each book is $15.99, and they are still in print.

10

For the 50th anniversary of Balloon Fiesta, another children’s book was produced, this by award-winning author Ross Van Dusen, who wrote and illustrated Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta: The Best Day Ever! This book was copyrighted in 2021 by AIBF, published by Rio Grande Books (LPD Press), Los Ranchos, NM, and printed in Canada. It tells the story of five kids, all siblings or close friends, written in rhyming style, who not only go to the AIBF launch site early one morning, but get to fly in a hot-air balloon! One unique feature of this book is four pages of black-and-white balloons where kids are encouraged to color their own balloons. This book won Best Children’s Book at the New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards. The price of this book is $19.95 and it is still in print.

A View From Above

43

11

In 2017, planning for the 50th Balloon Fiesta was underway, and the four people who edited the 40th book and were among the authors of the 45th book were asked if they would consider working on a 50th book. With some reluctance, knowing how much time and effort would be required to do a first-rate job, Dick Brown, Tom McConnell, Paul Rhetts and Kim Vesely agreed. This group, affectionately known as the Gang of Four, first met on May 12, 2017, and agreed that at least two books would be suggested to the AIBF Heritage Committee and Board of Directors, one a large coffee-table-type book and the other a children’s book (see 10 above). These two books were to be completed to commemorate the 50th Balloon Fiesta, scheduled to occur in October, 2021. This would be the 50th event and the 49th anniversary of the 1972 balloon race. Unfortunately, the COVID pandemic interrupted the Balloon Fiesta schedule, and the 49th Balloon Fiesta scheduled for 2020 was postponed to 2021. This meant the event in 2022 would now be both the 50th event and the 50th anniversary! The group also agreed to build a budget that ensured that AIBF would not lose money on the 50th books, and that all four authors would agree on every photo and every piece of text. To add a degree of difficulty to the process, with the onset of the pandemic the group worked almost entirely through email and virtual conferences.

Herding spiders would have been easier!

To produce 50 Years of Balloon Magic: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the editors/authors perused approximately 125,000 official AIBF photographs to find the most extraordinary images possible. The minimal text and captions are there to introduce each chapter, and to make some interesting comments about the photos with which they are paired. The flow of the book takes the reader through an example day, from Book in progress: Dick Brown, Tom McConnell, and Paul Rhetts in a 2018 work session. (The fourth author, Kim Vesely, took the picture) early morning through the evening events, with photographic detours to show gas ballooning, behind-the-scenes activities, and many other allied experiences.

The Gang of Four met 30 times between May 2017 and January 2021. Several times the style, themes, thrust and even the name of the coffee-table book changed, but it ended up as an 11x 13-inch landscape-style hard-cover book of 220 pages, 312 photographs, with 21 pages of text and 30 pages of captions with accompanying photos. At the New Mexico-Arizona book Awards, 50 Years of Balloon Magic won Best Coffee Table Book, Best Cover Design, and Best of Show.

It was published by Rio Grande Books (LPD Press) in collaboration with AIBF, and printed in North America. The price is $49.95 and it is still in print.

12

Also for the 50th anniversary of AIBF, a black-and-white coloring book (called Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Coloring Book), consisting of 24 pages of line drawings, was copyrighted, authorized and published by the AIBF merchandising group, edited and designed by Lisa Mulder and Lynda Crispino, and printed by Printers Press Inc. In Albuquerque. The price is $6.00, and it is still in print.

44

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Six more books about Balloon Fiesta are noted here. Although not copyrighted by AIBF or its authorized collaborators, according to the AIBF Heritage Committee, these books are worth mentioning.

13

The Grand Challenge was published by the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, City of Albuquerque Office of Cultural Services in 2004 as Volume 1. It provides 80 pages of background information about Albuquerque’s famous balloon museum, written in part by Susan M. Brown, and features stories and data about hot-air and gas balloons, Maxie Anderson and Ben Abruzzo, John Stapp, Joe Kittinger, early gas balloon flights by Park Van Tassel, Roy Stamm and Joseph Blondin, the beginnings of the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, both founded by Sid Cutter, and timelines of extraordinary ballooning events.

The price of this book is unknown.

14

In 2011, a small photo and text booklet was written and copyrighted by Albuquerque writer and gerontologist Carol Shelton March called Ceremony at Dawn. This 25-page soft-cover book was published and printed by Mercury Heartlink, and featured photos by Bill Pearson. This is the story of a first-timer going on an unexpected adventure during Balloon Fiesta. This book is still in print. The price is $15.00.

15

Aloft! At the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, written by Douglas M. Heller and edited by Bobbi Valentine, has excellent photos and explanatory text This softcover book is priced at $18.55, was published by Aloft Publishing LLC in 2011, and consists of 120 pages. Chapters include Balloon Fiesta Overview, Mass Ascension, Special Shape Balloons, Ballooning Fundamentals and The Champagne Toast & Balloonist’s Prayer. The introduction explains how the Montgolfier brothers invented hot-air ballooning in France more than 240 years ago, the humble beginnings of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Sid Cutter, AIBF volunteers, our launch sites, AIBF milestones and more. This book is still in print.

16

Steve Larese is an Albuquerque-based travel journalist who has written extensively about Balloon Fiesta for various magazines, as well as stories about his domestic and world travels and his American Southwest interests. He wrote and edited a non-official book about Balloon Fiesta in 2014 (the 43rd Balloon Fiesta) entitled Balloons Over Albuquerque. This is a hardbound book of 128 pages (not including front and back covers and front- and end-pieces) with vibrant, excellent color balloon photos (a mix of film and digital images) taken by the author, most of which have short accompanying captions, also written by the author. Steve interviewed Sid Cutter in 1995 for a story he wrote for Crosswinds magazine, and used that encounter for this book. The book is published by Schiffer Publishing & Design, Ltd., Atglen, PA, and printed in China. Design and text and photos coalesce to form a cohesive story of Balloon Fiesta, including some quotes and story-telling from Sid Cutter, the founder of AIBF. The price of this book is $19.99 and it is still in print.

17

In 2005, Nancy Abruzzo (widow of world-renowned balloonist Richard Abruzzo, who was also a past member of the AIBF Board of Directors), wrote and published a children’s book entitled Pop Flop’s Great Balloon Ride, wherein a girl begs her dad for a balloon ride, but somehow it is her pet rabbit, Pop Flop, who gets the ride during the annual Balloon Fiesta. Illustrated by Noel Chilton, it is published by Museum of New Mexico Press and is still in print. The price is $17.98 at some bookstores.

18

In 2022 Nancy Abruzzo wrote another children’s book called Soft Bright Fluffy, a Fiesta of Special Shape Balloons, published also by the Museum of New Mexico Press, and again illustrated by Noel Chilton. The price is $19.95.

A View From Above

45

Where SERVICE, STARBUCKS PHARMACY BAKERY DELI ICE FRESH MEAT & PRODUCE

SELECTION

AND SAVINGS

matter!

COLD BEER WINE & LIQUOR

Proud to be the Official Supermarket of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®!

Look for our booth for a chance to win FREE prizes!

Rare “Ring of Fire” Annular Eclipse

O

n the last Saturday of Balloon Fiesta, October 14, a special celestial treat awaits Balloon Fiesta participants and guests. As the day’s ballooning activities wind down, the sun and moon will treat Albuquerque to an unusual and spectacular annular eclipse. The moon will start to cross the sun’s path at 9:13 AM, and during totality, beginning at 10:34 AM, will obscure 90% of the sun. Balloon Fiesta Park lies almost directly on the center line of the eclipse’s path, so totality will last nearly five minutes.

To view the eclipse safely, you’ll want to bring along specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing, or use an indirect viewing method such as a pinhole projector. The Sun is never completely blocked by the Moon during an annular solar eclipse.

Therefore, during an annular eclipse, it is never safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the sun: you’ll need special safe solar viewing glasses (eclipse glasses), or a safe handheld solar viewer. These are readily available at retail outlets or can be purchased online.

Also, never look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or other

48

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

optical device – even with eclipse glasses – unless they are fitted with a special purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics. Doing so will instantly cause severe eye injury.

TOP: Annular eclipse photographed on December 26, 2019 in Jaffna (Courtesy Rehman Abubakr, Wickmedia Commons) LEFT: Viewing an eclipse through solar viewing glasses (Courtesy KateRussoShades, Mark Margolis) ABOVE: The annular eclipse’s path across the United States on October 14, 2023. The area between the red and blue lines will experience 90% totality; note that the center line runs right through Albuquerque. (Map courtesy National Solar Observatory

Balloon Fiesta

& the Land of ® International Enchantment

50

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the First World Hot Air Balloon Championship

By Rebecca Prinster, Assistant Curator at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

Balloons poised for launch in 1973 at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds.

Photo at left courtesy Dick Brown, inset photo courtesy Tom McConnell.

T

he Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2022, and this year, the World Hot Air Balloon Championship marks its own fiftieth birthday. This prestigious event debuted in Albuquerque in 1973, concurrent with the second Balloon Fiesta.

A national hot air balloon championship had been held in the U.S. since 1963, but in 1972 the Balloon Federation of America (BFA) was looking to start an international competition officially sanctioned by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world air sports federation. One of the original Balloon Fiesta pilots -- Don Kersten, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, immediate past president of the BFA -- had been tasked with finding a host city for the first world event.

Kersten didn’t place in the “RoadrunnerCoyote” (also known as a “hare and hound”) competition at the 1972 Balloon Fiesta. But he was favorably impressed with the crowds and event organizers and thought Albuquerque’s enthusiasm, coupled with the local area geography, could be a winning combination in a host city for the first-ever World Hot Air Balloon Championship. He encouraged Balloon Fiesta organizers to put in a bid to host the 1973 event, which they did -ten days after the first Balloon Fiesta.

With the promise of financial backing from KOB Radio, a delegation from Albuquerque flew to Chicago to meet with BFA officials and give a formal presentation. Its members included Balloon Fiesta founder Sid Cutter, KOB announcer Tom Rutherford -- who had been a part of organizing the first Balloon Fiesta -- station manager (years later Albuquerque mayor) Dick McKee, and Don Draper and Al Ratchner from the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (the local balloon club, also known as the AAAA or Quad-A). The group from Albuquerque won the bid, not knowing that they were the only ones to even throw their hat in the ring. Organizers scheduled the event for February 10 – 17, 1973, after consulting weather charts and deciding that February looked like a good month for ballooning. Only later did they realize that they’d read the charts wrong.

Cutter, Rutherford, and Draper formed World Balloon Championships, Inc. to handle the business of Balloon Fiesta, and they quickly realized that they would need a bigger venue than Coronado Center for a joint Balloon Fiesta-World Championship. To

A View From Above

51

accommodate the large field of competitors and fun flyers, they booked the New Mexico State Fairgrounds. They sent invitations to fifty-four FAI member nations, and fourteen responded.

Participating countries were allowed to send up to four pilots who were chosen by their respective country’s national aero club.

The conditions for participation for the U.S. delegation were somewhat different. One spot was guaranteed to the most recent U.S. national champion, who in 1972 was Bruce Comstock. The other three U.S. competitors flew in qualifying events the week before the world championship commenced. From a field of fortynine pilots, Bill Cutter, Dennis “Denny” Floden (also known as Captain Phogg), and Tom Oerman emerged victorious, rounding out the American team.

In addition to the U.S. contingent, pilots represented Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Great Britain, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Norway, and Italy. The pilots included some of the great names in the early history of international hot-air ballooning, among them Hans Åkerstedt, Per-Olow Anderson and Jan Balkedal (Sweden), Don Cameron (Great Britain), Peter Vizzard (Australia), Franco Segre (Italy), and that year’s only female competitor Anneke Sandel (Netherlands). There were 33 competing pilots in all.

But even as plans for international competition were being made, organizers were hard at work planning the second Balloon Fiesta. They envisioned a weeklong event with a parade, a ball, and a queen contest. Fun flying events were scheduled to take place after each morning’s competitive task, starting at around 11 a.m. – in these early days of hot-air ballooning, pilots hadn’t figured out yet that flying in the middle of the day was a bad idea due to heat-generated turbulence.

The organizers had set a budget of $100,000, which Rutherford later admitted was probably a little low.

World Balloon Championships, Inc. pulled out all the stops for their international guests. A local jeweler was commissioned to design a money clip with a Montgolfier balloon on it, and this was given to international pilots with a one hundred dollar bill folded inside. They also had the U.S. Postal Service issue a commemorative 15-cent airmail envelope on the first day of the event, February 10, 1973.

Because the FAI was sanctioning the world championship event, competition tasks had to first be approved by this

governing body. Sid Cutter invited Ed Yost—sometimes nicknamed “Sir Launch-a-Lot”—to be Clerk of the Course (Balloonmeister), and the two brainstormed ideas for competitive tasks the pilots would be required to complete. There was some back and forth with the FAI initially, as the FAI deemed some of Cutter and Yost’s ideas too dangerous. (“And they were,” Sid later admitted.)

Finally, the FAI approved four different tasks: a hare and hound race and three barograph flights (a flight profile test, a rapid climb and leveled-off flight, and a climb-and-descent flight). For these three tasks, pilots would have to fly a determined flight pattern inscribed on a smoked drum inside the barograph, an analog instrument that traced a pilot’s altitude and time spent within the calibrated flight pattern.

The barograph component caused some controversy among the pilots, and there were protests against including these scores in the final tally. Yost and Rutherford diplomatically settled the

TOP RIGHT AND BOTTOM LEFT: International competitors prepare to launch in the 1973 World Championships. (Photos courtesy Dick Brown); CENTER RIGHT: The controversial barograph, which records a balloon’s altitude over time. Looks like ancient technology now, huh? (Photo courtesy Science Museum).

52

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

disputes, though, and the scores were included in the overall point counts.

Interestingly, today’s national and international competitions include tasks where pilots fly to a fixed point or points in the sky defined by GPS coordinates, a modern-day version of the barograph-based tasks. The First World Championship officials were way ahead of the times.

In addition to the protests, there were other memorable learning experiences at the first World Hot Air Balloon Championships. Even in New Mexico, February can be a wintery month, and on the last day of competition, pilots found themselves flying in snow. Visibility was low as they flew a yo-yo pattern in the climb-and-descent flight. Another day, some pilots – including some whose English language skills were rather limited -- flew into high-security areas on Manzano Base (now part of Kirtland Air Force Base), had their cameras confiscated, and likely faced interrogation.

But that first world championship is ultimately remembered as a success.

Denny Floden of the U.S. finished first, having mastered barograph flying before coming to Albuquerque. Bill Cutter of the U.S. took second, and Jan Balkedal of Sweden was third. The extensive national and international media coverage helped spur on the growth of hot air ballooning worldwide. Enthusiastic Albuquerque volunteers who worked the event were inspired to become balloonists themselves, growing the sport and providing the expertise to run future Balloon Fiestas.

Some of the souvenirs, promotional materials and even one of the controversial barographs have made their way into the collection of the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Stop by the Museum during Balloon Fiesta to see some of these objects on display.

Tom Rutherford and Sid Cutter at the Fairgrounds, post-flight brewskis in hand. Photo by Bill Walton Flynt

First World Hot Air Balloon Championships February 10-17, 1973 | Albuquerque, NM COMPETITORS Australia Peter Vizzard Belgium Gerald Arthur DelForge Willy François Schaut Henry E. Vanderlinden Canada Stanley Peter Owens Stanley John Sheldrake Denmark Kai Paamand France Clotaire Castanier William E Malpas Robert Noirclerc Bertrand Vicaire Germany Horst Kallenbach E. Arno Sieger Eugen Wothe Great Britain Terence Adams Roger Barrett Donald Cameron Peter Langford Ireland Charles Michael Alexander David Hooper Italy Franco Segre Netherlands Anneke Sandel Norway Ola Ivar Kalvatn Sweden Hans Åkerstedt Per-Olow Anderson Jan Balkedal Seve Ungermark Switzerland Kurt Runzi Werner Schweizer USA Bruce Comstock Bill Cutter Dennis Floden Tom Oerman

A View From Above

53

From Documentaries, Gondolas, Jewelry, Murals, Public Concerts, Roses, Twinkle Lights...and the list goes on!

CHOOSE ART, CHOOSE CULTURE : ABQ BioPark Zoo | Aquarium | Botanic Garden | Tingley Beach Albuquerque Museum Albuquerque Balloon Museum CABQ Media - Comcast Ch. 16 Community Events | KiMo Theatre | South Broadway Cultural Center | Old Town Gazebo Public Art | Urban Enhancement Public Library Albuquerque | BernCo

CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE DEPARTMENT OF ARTS & CULTURE

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

®

Balloon Directory

A View From Above

55

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Balloon Directory

Adams, Steven MISS SHENANIGANS Albuquerque, NM United States

Adelsberger, Kurt NEW ADVENTURE Mesquite, NV United States

Adie, Martin HOPSCOTCH Edgewood, NM United States

Akin, JB 8-BIT Rio Rancho, NM United States

Aley, Dave AFTERNOON DELIGHT Albuquerque, NM United States

Anderson, Allen CAPTAIN CRUNCH’S WILD RIDE Minden, NV, United States

Anger, Frank AMERICA Belden, MS United States

Appelman, Scott DOS EQUIS Scottsdale, AZ United States

Appenzeller, Al TIED TOGETHER Indianola, IA United States

Arkwell, Kathy CLYDESCOPE Peoria, IL United States

Armstrong, Bill BAND OF GOLD Goodyear, AZ United States

Ashworth, Jeffrey SLÁINTE! Corrales, NM United States

Aubol-Hanks, Nancy GIGGLES AND GRINS Bosque Farms, NM United States

Baca, Rodney CRUISE CONTROL Albuquerque, NM United States

Backes, Dan CONCHO Florence, AZ United States

Bacon, Josh SUN FLYER Albuquerque, NM United States

Bair, Ray KALEIDOSCOPE Albuquerque, NM United States

Bair, Dave BAIRLY AWAKE Colorado Springs, CO United States

Baird, Andy EXTRA FUN Dexter, MI United States

Ballengee, Kelli EVIL TWIN Placitas, NM United States

Barnes, Kent BELLESTAR Murray, UT United States

Bartra, Alex AIRMOSA Rio Rancho, NM United States

Bauwens, Mike BETTY’S BABY GRAND Park City, UT United States

Becker, Brian ROYAL RACER Davenport, IA United States

56

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Beebe, Ken TORTUGA DEL FUEGO Rio Rancho, NM United States

Benitez, Magy TREBOL San Martín de las Pirámides Mexico

Bertetto, Mike NERFER Albuquerque, NM United States

Betzen, Nico NATURPARK Fouhren Luxembourg

Biernacki, Buzz MORNING MAGIC Albuquerque, NM United States

Blizzard, Will Desert Arura Albuquerque, NM United States

Boulger, John DAKOTA STAR Fargo, ND United States

Bowman, James CHIMPLY Oklahoma City, OK United States

Boyd, Gary THE GRATEFUL RED Albuquerque, NM United States

Bradley, David Temecula, CA United Statess

Bradley, Dylan CALIFORNIA DREAMIN Winchester, CA United States

Bradley, Troy RAINBOW RYDERS Albuquerque, NM United States

Bramble, Curt EAGLE - WE THE PEOPLE Provo, UT United States

Brennand, Mike MILAGRO Tijeras, NM United States

Brodbeck, Amanda VIVIAN Dacono, CO United States

Broker, Bill EXCELLENCE Plano, TX United States

Brossett, Gary KALOS Columbus, GA United States

Browning, Jody TATER TOT Rio Rancho, NM United States

Brunner, Pete RAINBOW RYDERS Yountville, CA United States

Buckner, Jason HALE-LUCINATIONS Albuquerque, NM United States

Buesing, Jeff BIG HOPPER Colorado Springs, CO United States

Burgess, Zach RAINBOW RYDERS Ashland, OH United States

Bussey, Bill YIN YANG Longview, TX United States

Byer, Ryan HELLUVA VIEW Albuquerque, NM United States

A View From Above

57

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Balloon Directory

Caldwell, Clint PATIENT ENDURANCE Albuquerque, NM United States

Caldwell, Trent WILD CHILD Albuquerque, NM United States

Candelaria, Joe MR. BLUE SKIES Albuquerque, NM United States

Carlson, Brian DREAMS FULFILLED Wakarusa, KS United States

Carlton, Ryan CAZOOEE Danville, IL United States

Carlton-Vish, Donna SUNNY SIDE UP Danville, IL United States

Carpenter, Michael SWEET CAROLINE II Rio Rancho, NM United States

Carreathers, Lonnie SPECTRUM Cuba, NM United States

Cass, Gary RED HOT Yuma, AZ United States

Caton, Tom TIME TRAVELER Byrnes Mill, MO United States

Chabbert, Nicolas KIRMIZI Saint-Martin France

Chando, Morghan RAINBOW RYDERS Albuquerque, NM United States

Chando, Pat PATTURNS IN CZECH Albuquerque, NM United States

Chase, Brian PINWHEEL Moscow, PA United States

Chavez, Laurie JESSE’S GIRL TOO Albuquerque, NM United States

Christian, Bret RESURREXION Indianola, IA United States

Christophersen, Andy PSYCHO THERAPY Albuquerque, NM United States

Clapp, Royce DOPPLER VORTEX McCook, NE United States

Cliver, Bubba NO NAME Lewisville, TX United States

Cliver, Chris KUBICEK RACER Nashville, TN United States

Cloutier, Patrick LA MAGIE DE L’AIR KILO St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Cloyd, Patrick PRAIRIE SUNSET Indianola, IA United States

Cochran, Tony COLORADO Broomfield, CO United States

Coffing, Steve PLOT TWIST Albuquerque, NM United States

58

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Converse, Karen PENUMBRA Albuquerque, NM United States

Cook, Kelli HIGH MAINTENANCE Denver, CO United States

Cooper, Hal UPTUIT Port Hope, Ontario Canada

Copas, Jerry EZ-BALLOON Sellersburg, IN United States

Cowen, Dave TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL Corrales, NM United States

Crouch, Clayton FINISH LINE Watkins, CO United States

Cuneo, Peter SPIRITS IN THE SKY Albuquerque, NM United States

Curry, Ron 770 KKOB Corrales, NM United States

Davenport, Richard XMAXX Ormond Beach, FL United States

Davie, Ryan TWILIGHT ZONE Rio Rancho, NM United States

Davison, Neil SONORAN SUNSET Phoenix, AZ United States

Degattis, Colin KRYPTONITE Sandia Park, NM United States

Despres, Denise BOOBOULINA Cedar Crest, NM United States

Dickey, Bill DIAMOND GIRL Corrales, NM United States

Dickey, Frank 2ND WIND Albuquerque, NM United States

Dieringer, Aaron RHAPSODY IN BLUE Reno, NV United States

Dinkler, Fred CARRIED AWAY Livingston, TX United States

Dobbs, Bill WILD FIRE Kamas, UT United States

Doll, Penny RACING WITH THE WIND Roeland Park, KS United States

Donner, Nick BLUE GRASS ROCKET II Louisville, KY United States

Dougherty, Don DARK SUNRISE Colorado Springs, CO United States

Draughn, Ken XTREMELY CONTAGIOUS Burlington, NC United States

Drganc, Luka JACK FM Belmont, Ontario Canada

Duff, Jeff DECISION MAKER Albuquerque, NM United States

A View From Above

59

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Balloon Directory

60

Duff, Ryan RE/MAX Hallsville, MO United States

Dumke, Don FLO Florence, WI United States

Duncan, Brian TRAVELER Spring, TX United States

Duval Harbour, Jesse LUMY St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Dyer, JD TEAM EAGLE, FLYING FOR HEROES Saron, Carmarthenshire United Kingdom

Eakin, Sean PALS Tomah, WI United States

Edmiston, Fred STARS Maxwell, TX United States

Eichhorn, Dave MARAUDER’S MARK Corrales, NM United States

Eldridge, Stacy TEARDROP COWBOY Rio Rancho, NM United States

Ellis-Ostgulen, Debi PLUM FIRED-UP Albuquerque, NM United States

Emerick, Dana WIND DREAMER Bolivar, OH United States

Emry, Gordon FRESH AIRE III Norfolk, NE United States

Evans, Tim CREW BALLOON Cedar Crest, NM United States

Ewer, Dan BLUE MOON Tucson, AZ United States

Favero, Marcus LIFTIN’ SPIRITS Smithfield, VA United States

Fenske, David CRIMSON STAR Albuquerque, NM United States

Ferguson, Ken ITSA TOUCHIE SUBJECT Albuquerque, NM United States

Ferguson, Chuck FREEDOM FLYER Tucson, AZ United States

Fielding, Mike AURA Oak Point, TX United States

Figueras Leal, Carles ULTRAMAGIC Igualada, Barcelona Spain

Fisher, Tom BREEZY RIDER Albuquerque, NM United States

Fitch, Matt PLUM FANCY Albuquerque, NM United States

Fitzgerald, William VOYAGER Lubbock, TX United States

Fleury, Mike FLEUR DE TUCSON Red Rock, AZ United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Fogue, Pat BLUE MOON Columbia, MO United States

Fournier, Ray LUCKY CHARM New Market, TN United States

Freeman, Cameron ADVENTURE 3 Carbondale, CO United States

Fritze, Mark FREEDOM FLYER Tallahassee, FL United States

Gabriel, Jason SPIRIT OF ‘76 Colorado Springs, CO United States

Galaz, Yvette SHELBY’S SUNRISE Albuquerque, NM United States

Gallant, Mike IRIS AROSE Columbus, IN United States

Garcia, Greg ELLAVATION Albuquerque, NM United States

Garcia, Jerry TENTAI THE SEQUEL Albuquerque, NM United States

Garcia-Perrote, Juan 92.1 CITI RADIO Belmont, Ontario Canada

Gardner, Tom AJUUA DREAMER Albuquerque, NM United States

Gebhart, Aaron STEP-N-UP Indianola, IA United States

Gebhart, Jim DOUBLE TROUBLE Indianola, IA United States

George, Peter GRAND BRITANNIA Oxford United Kingdom

Gilles, Jeff IDAHOBALLOONADVENTURES Scottsdale, AZ United States

Gindlesparger, Mark PHENOM Murphysboro, IL United States

Giordano, CJ RAINBOW RYDERS Glendale, AZ United States

Glas, Richard HEAD WEST AGAIN Phoenix, AZ United States

Glen, Chris HEAVEN’S QUILT Spokane, WA United States

Godlevsky, Curt SUNWALKER Littleton, CO United States

Gonzales, Bob LOOK TWICE Park City, UT United States

Gonzales, Michael THE JOURNEY Albuquerque, NM United States

Goodman, Bill DRAGON FLY Albuquerque, NM United States

Goosey, Rick TJ’S TOY Pleasant Hill, MO United States

A View From Above

61

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Balloon Directory

Gordon, Edward FREEDOM WON Austin, TX United States

Gorenflo, Mike AIR FLO Albuquerque, NM United States

Goss, Dick LAST MANGO Leander, TX United States

Graf, Sandy AMERICAN RACER Henderson, TX United States

Graff, Gerry LOFTY Albuquerque, NM United States

Graham, Sandy DAYBREAK Alta Loma, CA United States

Grassbaugh, Derek RELAPSE Albuquerque, NM United States

Grauberger, Sheldon RAINBOW RYDERS Minden, NV United States

Green, John INTREPID Albuquerque, NM United States

Green, Mike HORIZON Des Moines, IA United States

Greenwood, Eric ENCHANTED Albuquerque, NM United States

Griego, Jeff AMERICAN BEAUTY Albuquerque, NM United States

Griffith, Justin BUCKEYE Albuquerque, NM United States

Grote, Matthew JESTER UNWINDZ Rio Rancho, NM United States

Gruenberg, John SANTITA Las Cruces, NM United States

Gullo, Michael MAIN SQUEEZE Bossier City, LA United States

Gunter, Ryan SKY CHARIOT Albuquerque, NM United States

Gustafson, Gus FREEDOM FLIGHT IV Arden Hills, MN United States

Haarhuis, Sanne DUTCH DIRECT Chelsea, MI United States

Hackett, Myia RIK RAK Albuquerque, NM United States

Hahn, Allan HEAVEN BOUND, TOO Aurora, CO United States

Harbold, Clarke IT’S A ZOO Charlotte, NC United States

Harris, Mark SEW GRATEFUL Denver, CO United States

Harrison, Stephen SOARENITY Murray, UT United States

62

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Hartshorn, Sharon SEEKING NIRVANA Amarillo, TX United States

Haynes, Anthony ALMOST THERE Houston, TX United States

Hays, Craig BEAUTIFUL NOISE Coppell, TX United States

Head, Tarp HIGH OVER HEAD Helen, GA United States

Heartsill, Joe TEXAS RACER San Angelo, TX United States

Heartsill, Lucas BALLOON FORCE ONE San Angelo, TX United States

Heartsill, Rhett TEXAS STAR Fort Worth, TX United States

Heffron, Mike BRIGHT IDEA Albuquerque, NM United States

Heideman, Mark DESERT FLYING VIKING Albuquerque, NM United States

Heiken, Paul SPHERICAL TURTLE Stockton, CA United States

Heinrich, Sally PATIENCE Phoenix, AZ United States

Hess, Stan WICKED THE BROADWAY MUSICAL Saint Peters, PA United States

Hettich, David LONG RUN Centennial, CO United States

Heupel, Casey BACK TO THE FUTURE West Glacier, MT United States

Hickey, Mike MAKIN’ MEMORIES League City, TX United States

Hicks, Buster SOUTHERN ZEPHYR Griffin, GA United States

High, Mark PEPPERMINT DREAM TOO Albuquerque, NM United States

Hill, Bryan BASKET CASE Page, AZ United States

Hoch, Darcy HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS Milo, IA United States

Hodge, Justin OPPULENCE Los Ranchos, NM United States

Hodges, Eric KKISSES OF FIRE Rio Rancho, NM United States

Hoefler, Greg CAPRICE DU CIEL Chaillon, Lorraine France

Hofheins, Mark WITH ODENS BREATH Rio Rancho, NM United States

Hoge, Peyton ZIGZAG Louisville, KY United States

A View From Above

63

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Balloon Directory

Holmes, Jerry LIBERTY Fort Worth, TX United States

Holmes, David JOSEPHSCOAT Rocheport, MO United States

Holt, Judy DESERT DRIFTER Phoenix, AZ United States

Hooper, Jerry S.S. AMERICA Corpus Christi, TX United States

Hora, Tomas NUEVO LEON Praha, Czechia Czech Republic

Houle, Alexandre SPHERE MONTGOLFIERE St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Howes, Skip WILDFIRE Colorado Springs, CO United States

Hueschen, Rick TOOTS Cedar Crest, NM United States

Humiston, Hank FLAMEBUOYANT 2 Albuquerque, NM United States

Humphreys, Ben WRENCH Wooldridge, MO United States

Hurst, Matt THE CAPTAIN St. Peters, MO United States

Hutchinson, Scott FLYING SQUID Albuquerque, NM United States

Ibbotson, Mark MARIAH Grand Prairie, TX United States

Ibbotson-Sullivan, Amanda STARDUST Fort Worth, TX United States

Jackson, Neil FLYING CIRCUS Albuquerque, NM United States

James, Gay WANDERER Orland, CA United States

James, Rick SUNDANCE TOO Judson, TX United States

Johnson, Jeff APACHE Yuma, AZ United States

Johnson, Mike SKYTREK Mitchell, NE United States

Johnson, Randy AIR SHE GOES Albuquerque, NM United States

Johnson, Colleen MARY ALICE IN WONDERLAND Mitchell, NE United States

Jones, Chris SCARLET SUNSET Billings, MT United States

Jones, Jason RAINBOW RYDERS INC. Overland Park, KS United States

Jones, Gary GRAVITY’S RAINBOW Diamondhead, MS United States

64

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Jones, Rick POLAR DAWN Concord, NH United States

Jones, Chris SERENITY Amarillo, TX United States

Jones, Joel BLUE SPIRIT Seale, AL United States

Jones, Steve TEXAS MAGIC Gatesville, TX United States

Kaufman, Blair HEART’S DESIRE Albuquerque, NM United States

Keefe, Chris NIFTY GADGET Cross Plains, WI United States

Keller, Kelli KC FUN Box Elder, SD United States

Keller, Tom KC FUNNER Box Elder, SD United States

Kelly, Mike PRIMARY DREAM Albuquerque, NM United States

Kennedy, Craig CHICK-FIL-A Albuquerque, NM United States

Kerber, Rick SKYWORM Wayland, MI United States

Keyser, Ralph EOS Albuquerque, NM United States

King, Mike UPSY DAISY Sandia Park, NM United States

Kious, Tom DREAM ON Albuquerque, NM United States

Kirson, Damian VISIT ABQ Albuquerque, NM United States

Klymenko, Vlad SLAVA UKRAYINI Kyiv Ukraine

Kollin, Dennis MINI PHEE Oxford, MI United States

Komadina, Mark NEVER FORGET Rio Rancho, NM United States

Kostrhun, Pavel COLORED South Moravia Czech Republic

Kross, Bob MORNING MANNA Rapid City, SD United States

Kubicek, Petr KUBICEK DEMO Brno Czech Republic

Kuklinsky, Jeff DEN’S Ortonville, MI United States

Kuller, Tim TECHNI-KULLER Mesa, AZ United States

Lard, Anthony RAINBOW RYDERS Albuquerque, NM United States

A View From Above

65

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Balloon Directory

LaRotonda, Carol AURORA CROLEALIS Albuquerque, NM United States

Lavoie, Michael SCHMEDLEY West Ossipee, NH United States

Lavorgna, Bruce AERODACTYL Temple, TX United States

Laxton, Kyle RAINBOW RYDERS Phoenix, AZ United States

Lee, Bill TRUE-LEE NEW MEXICO Gallup, NM United States

Lescarbeau, Alan RAINBOW RYDERS Phoenix, AZ United States

Liberti, Daniel MORNING WOOD Rio Rancho, NM United States

Liberti, Chris INFLATIO Castle Rock, CO United States

Lindsey, Greg FLOATING AWAYSIS Safford, AZ United States

Little, Jacob RAINBOW RYDERS Glendale, AZ United States

Lombardi, Steve GRANDE FINALE Edgewood, TX United States

Long, Jordan RAINBOW RYDERS Canaan, CT United States

Lorentz, Mike ROYAL FORTUNE Canton, OH United States

Lovullo, Josh BEAUTY Temecula, CA United States

Lowenstein, Al SUNSET RISE Albuquerque, NM United States

Lowenstein, Ryan ARROW BALLOON Fairfield, CA United States

Lynch, Bill CITRUS Neosho, MO United States

MacKechnie, Roger SILVER SPIRIT Tucson, AZ United States

MacLean, Tristan ENCHANTED HORIZONS Albuquerque, NM United States

MacSkimming, Mark MOVIN’ MAGIC Harrisburg, PA United States

Mancini, J.J. MR. SPRINKLES Albuquerque, NM United States

Manus, William MEH Bosque Farms, NM United States

Mares, JP BURNING DESIRE Albuquerque, NM United States

Markowitz, David JUST FUN CAT Maryland, NY United States

66

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Marshall, Jimmy MORNING GLORY Sonoma, CA United States

Martens, Eric HOTSHOT Indianola, IA United States

Martin, Ron FREEDOM Tampa, FL United States

Martindell, Don DAWN SONG Albuquerque, NM United States

Martinez, Frankie RAKS BALLOON Los Lunas, NM United States

Marx, Michael FIRED UP TOO Prosper, TX United States

Mason, Jaybird REALTY ONE OF NEW MEXICO Albuquerque, NM United States

Mass, Bob PITA’S KISS Albuquerque, NM United States

Mast, Squid RAVEN Albuquerque, NM United States

McClinton, Adam RAINBOW RYDERS Charlotte, NC United States

McClung, Collin FREEDOM BREEZE Albuquerque, NM United States

McConnell, Tom ZIA Albuquerque, NM United States

McCord, Christopher DETOUR Albuquerque, NM United States

Melton, Dave PURPLE HAZE New Harmony, UT United States

Merino Escamilla, Mariel SUMO Mexico City Mexico

Mezzancello, Steven RAINBOW RYDERS Albuquerque, NM United States

Michalek, Gary OSLIVE VZDUCHO Lafayette, CA United States

Michels, Max KREFELD650 Meerbusch Germany

Mitchell, Mark 95.9 STAR Belmont, Ontario Canada

Mitchell, Steve RAINBOW RYDERS Chagrin Falls, OH United States

Moncrief, Robert VACATION Rio Rancho, NM United States

Morgan, Gary GARY’S BALLOON Sedona, AZ United States

Morrison, Greg FIDELITY INVESTMENTS Albuquerque, NM United States

Moughan, Gavin REBEL ANGEL Albuquerque, NM United States

A View From Above

67

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Balloon Directory

Mumm, Karalyn CITRUS IN THE SKY Reno, NV United States

Myers, Marissa NIZHONI PAGOSA Pagosa Springs, CO United States

Myklebust, Randy FRUITY OZAGA Rio Rancho, NM United States

Nakamura, Judy BOUNCE Placitas, NM United States

Naylor, Jesse ALL IN Albuquerque, NM United States

Newcomer, Jesse RAINBOW RYDERS Phoenix, AZ United States

Nickolay, Larry MONTGOLFIER Newport, MN United States

Nutting, Rob KAMPGROUNDS OF AMERICA Ackworth, IA United States

Odom, Gary MASTER BLASTER Valparaiso, FL United States

Olguin, Paul SILVER LINING Chandler, AZ United States

Olivier, Orvin SERENITY V Sioux Falls, SD United States

O’Neill, Mark CHYM FM Belmont, Ontario Canada

Orchard, Tim BUGS BUNNY Aylesbury United Kingdom

Osborne, Dwayne SKYSCRAPER Phoenix, AZ United States

Ouellette, Johann ST-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU FESTIVAL Longueuil, Québec Canada

Ouvrard, Jean Daniel PARC DE SAINT CYR Thuré France

Owen, Brooke RAINBOW RYDERS Phoenix, AZ United States

Parezo, John BIG BLUE Sioux Falls, SD United States

Pata, John PATA GOLD Rio Rancho, NM United States

Paulin, Mathew UNWIND Yuma, AZ United States

Paulin, Jerry TREE TOP FLYER Yuma, AZ United States

Peete, Lichele SILVER LINING Albuquerque, NM United States

Pendleton, Craig SPIRIT TOO! Albuquerque, NM United States

Petrehn, John KODACHROME Missouri City, TX United States

68

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Petrehn, Paul TWISTED SISTER Howell, MI United States

Philpott, Martin AUSPICIOUS Bixby, OK United States

Piendel, Rick BLASER! Annville, PA United States

Pivic, Bruce MISS WYOMING Rock Springs, WY United States

Polito, Tony RIO GRANDE DOWN SYNDROME NETWORK Scottsdale, AZ United States

Price, Kelly PRIMARY COLORS Rio Rancho, NM United States

Pulaski, Bob SKI LIFT Pineville, LA United States

Ramirez, Alejandra FIG LEON MEXICO Mexico City Mexico

Randall, Thomas ENCHANTED ENDEAVOR Placitas, NM United States

Raper, Robert FALLEN ANGELS North Bend, OR United States

Raya, Shawn SULLAIR A HITACHI GROUP COMPANY Highland, MI United States

Rice, Brad RAINBOW RYDERS Rio Rancho, NM United States

Rice, Debbie FOXTROT Houston, TX United States

Richardson, Shane WILDTHANG! Henderson, NV United States

Richardson, Bobby DOUBLE TROUBLE Rio Rancho, NM United States

Rightley, Mike BREAKING WIND Albuquerque, NM United States

Riley, Theron CHERRY BOMB Columbia, MO United States

Robey, Sam CROSSWIND Gladewater, TX United States

Robinson, Cody GRAND BANANA Kansas City, MO United States

Rodden, John SONRISE Owasso, OK United States

Roesch, Jon JITTERBUG Gilbert, AZ United States

Roholt, Jesse RAINBOW RYDERS Peoria, AZ United States

Romaneschi, Bob BEE BOB DELUXE Peoria, AZ United States

Rucker, John LATE NITE DISCUSSIONS Genoa City, WI United States

A View From Above

69

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Balloon Directory

Russo, Tom SPIRIT Monroe Township, NJ United States

Ruth, Duey DAWN’S DELIGHT Albuquerque, NM United States

Sabia, Chris WONDER BREAD Overland Park, KS United States

Sabin, Richard SEA BREEZE Henderson, TX United States

Salazar, Alfred IPCC Albuquerque, NM United States

Salazar, Katelyn PIXIE SPIRIT Los Lunas, NM United States

Sanchez, Elijah RAINBOW RYDERS Albuquerque, NM United States

Sanchez, Ron WEGO Albuquerque, NM United States

Schick, Chuck TOO GOOD LOOKIN’ Bosque Farms, NM United States

Schmitz, Jon 5280 FLYER Littleton, CO United States

Schuler, Nolan BELLA COLORADO Manitou Springs, CO United States

Schultz, Marvin SUNDANCE BALLOONS Belmont, Ontario Canada

Schwemmer, Kasey ZENITH Wichita, KS United States

Scott, Michael SPIRIT’S RAINBOW Oklahoma City, OK United States

Seay, Sam DIVINE APPOINTMENT Albuquerque, NM United States

See, Glenn ITSZEE Cortez, CO United States

Seeger, Anthony CAROLINA TWIST Travelers Rest, SC United States

Seghers, Jos SKY STAR Breendonk Belgium

Seghers, Stijn AIRE MARC TOO Lippelo, Antwerp Belgium

Shipman, Shane MAE’S MAGIC Rio Rancho, NM United States

Short, Dennis CHAMPAGNE COWBOY Broken Arrow, OK United States

Sklute, Ken FRACTALS Florence, AZ United States

Slattery, Tim TREETOP FLYER Madison, MS United States

Smart, Rex AIRPLAY Albuquerque, NM United States

70

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Smart, Chris RAINBOW RYDERS Roanoke, IN United States

Smatana, Bernard EMINENCE El Paso, TX United States

Smith, Al NORTHERN LIGHTS Grass Lake, MI United States

Smith, Neal INDECISIVE Albuquerque, NM United States

Smith, Paul SINCERELY Albuquerque, NM United States

Snipes, Morgan VISIONARY Edmond, OK United States

Soffera, Janet DESERT HUMMINGBIRD Rio Rancho, NM United States

Spanier, Mark OHZONE Peachtree City, GA United States

Speicher, Shawn GUT-WRENCHING Albuquerque, NM United States

Squires, Rick HIGHER DESIRE Albuquerque, NM United States

Stanke, Natasha BANK BOBBER Albuquerque, NM United States

Steidley, David IT’S ABOUT TIME! Albuquerque, NM United States

Steinbock, Tom SUNSET GLOW Crestwood, KY United States

Stevens, Patrick RAINBOW RYDERS Phoenix, AZ United States

Stokoe, Steven KNIGHT RIDER Lutz, FL United States

Strang, Andy RAGTIME Clinton Township, MI United States

Strang, Richard LIGHTNING Oxford, MI United States

Strickland, Dave SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE Columbus, OH United States

Suckow, Dave AIMLESS DRIFTER Rio Communities, NM United States

Sullivan, Dave CHECKRIDE Fayetteville, GA United States

Sullivan, Mark CODE RED Albuquerque, NM United States

Sullivan, Patrick BLACK MAGIC Spencer, MA United States

Sutter, Denis DREAM PIE Hallsville, MO United States

Tadolini, Ken OUTLAW Denver, CO United States

A View From Above

71

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Balloon Directory

Takach, Keith TAKACH ANOTHER BREEZE Albuquerque, NM United States

Talbert, Elisa S.O. Albuquerque, NM United States

Tatum, Daryl YELLOW BRICK ROAD Canton, GA United States

Taylor, Brian BLUE RIBBON Columbia, MO United States

Taylor, Tim DEE III BALLOON TEAM Salt Lake City, UT United States

Thomas, George TIGER PAW EXPRESS Hallsville, MO United States

Thompson, Jon RAINBOW RYDERS Phoenix, AZ United States

Thompson, Phil BUZZ Galena, IL United States

Thornton, Floyd THUNDERCLOUD St. Louis, MO United States

Tobin, Josh GHOST RIDER Belen, NM United States

Torres, Santi LOVE Mexico City Mexico

Trillanes, Mark PHAT STUFF Albuquerque, NM United States

Turner, Geoff RISEN Ashville, NY United States

Unsworth, Martin FLEURS DE LYSEE St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Vaillancourt, Richard DOCO St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Van Dyck, Chris ZEPHYR Albuquerque, NM United States

Van Sant, Lori BLACK MAGIC WOMAN Albuquerque, NM United States

VandeHoef, Ed COLORADO 2 Broomfield, CO United States

VanWye, Sandra VOLCANIC MOTION Albuquerque, NM United States

Vavra, William GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE Reno, NV United States

Vencel, Travis UNM Bloomington, IN United States

Vesely, Scott LIGHTHOUSE BUSINESS INFORMATION SOLUTIONS, LLC Frisco, TX United States

Voorhees, Mike CRYPTONAUT Albuquerque, NM United States

Wade-Callihan, Clare COLOR ME HIGH Houston, TX United States

72

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Wadley, Mike TEXAS SUN Weldon Spring, MO United States

Wadsworth, Will RICKY BOBBY Albuquerque, NM United States

Wahl, John KOLIBRI Edgewood, NM United States

Walker, Elizabeth LOOKING GLASS Addison, TX United States

Wall, Cam GRANDMA’S LEGACY Enumclaw, WA United States

Wallace, Marilyn RAINBOW THRU HEAVEN Santa Monica, CA United States

Walsh, Dan LAST CHANCE Redlands, CA United States

Walter, Ken KAY’S WINDDANCER II Waukesha, WI United States

Waltman, Debbi SANS SOUCI Windsor, CO United States

Warren, Suzanne AIRLOOM Rio Rancho, NM United States

Watson, Barney COOL BEANS!!

Placitas, NM United States

Watson-Meinke, Peggy STARLITE Santa Paula, CA United States

Watters, Philippe SUNDANCE BALLOONS Belmont, Ontario Canada

Watts, Rodney ONENINER NORTHSTAR Hot Springs, SD United States

Wehner, Chuck BOTTOM’S UP Rio Rancho, NM United States

Wells, Russ CHECKEREDPAST Seville, OH United States

Welz, Zerek GUILTY Albuquerque, NM United States

Whisenhunt, Jake DUB-L UP Rio Rancho, NM United States

Whitby, Gary DEJA BLU Columbia, MO United States

White, Cheri TOUCHSTONE ENERGY RACER Austin, TX United States

Whitling, Ian ROY-G-BIV Albuquerque, NM United States

Wiggins, Eric CALYPSO Longview, TX United States

Wiley, Sam WILEY COYOTE San Marcos, TX United States

Williams, Jim PIX Katy, TX United States

A View From Above

73

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Balloon Directory

Williams, Steve MISCHIEF Albuquerque, NM United States

Williams Sr., Lewin SPLIT-TAIL Reno, NV United States

Wilson, Johnny JAW’S Rio Rancho, NM United States

Wismer, Jack CHEZ FM Belmont, Ontario Canada

Woehlke, Dave ART DECO Oxford, MI United States

Wolfe, Jonathan INFINITUDE Albuquerque, NM United States

Wong, Dale URSA MINOR Rancho Cucamonga, CA United States

Wood, Bruce OTTR Carbondale, CO United States

Woodard, Mark CARPE DIEM! Hookstown, PA United States

Wooge, Scott PNC BANK St. Louis, MO United States

Word, Glen TOUCH OF MAGIC Anthony, NM United States

Wright, Thom CHAIN GANG Albuquerque, NM United States

Wright, Thomee UNCHAINED Albuquerque, NM United States

Yocom, Mark AIR ROCKY TOP Albuquerque, NM United States

Young, Debby ROADTRIP Albuquerque, NM United States

Zamora, Loretta SAKI BOMBER Albuquerque, NM United States

Zielinski, Alan FEATHERLIGHT II Niles, IL United States

Zimmer, Jesse HUCKLEBERRY Rio Rancho, NM United States

Zimmer, Rachel KANDY LAND Rio Rancho, NM United States

Zvada, Joe BLACK HOLE SUN McAllen, TX United States

FIESTA GOLD Albuquerque, NM United States

SPIRIT OF FIESTA Albuquerque, NM United States

74

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

WELCOME TO

THE LAND OF ACHIEVEMENT THE LANDSCAPES. THE CULTURES. THE PEOPLE PAST AND PRESENT—THIS PLACE INSPIRES THINKERS AND DOERS TO MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE HAPPEN EVERY DAY. THAT’S WHAT LOBOS DO. BREAK RECORDS AND BEAT PERSONAL BESTS. EVERY TRIUMPH, BIG AND SMALL—FROM EACH DEGREE COMPLETED TO EVERY PATENT GRANTED TO EVERY COMMUNITY CARED FOR—PROPELS US FORWARD, TOGETHER. THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO REACH HIGHER. BECAUSE HERE, WE ACHIEVE THE EXTRAORDINARY.

achieve.unm.edu

TM

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Additional Pilots

76

Adams, Scott Hudson, WI United States

Dezurik, Joselle High Rolls, NM United States

Karlovec, Frank Scottsdale, AZ United States

Midura, Timothy Marshallville, OH United States

Sabia, Amanda Overland Park, KS United States

Tollefson, Thomas Detroit Lakes, MN United States

Amlong, Christopher Placitas, NM United States

Dickey, Carol Corrales, NM United States

Kassam, Munir Narok Kenya

Miller, Mark Washington, DC United States

Samuelson, Andrew Riverton, WY United States

Andre, Marc Spiegel, Bern Switzerland

Donner, Chase Powell, OH United States

Kiehle, Erik Meridian, MS United States

Miller, Howard Atmore, AL United States

Sandlin, Anthony Fishers, IN United States

Tougas, Eric St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Ashida-Schwisow, Jamie Los Ranchos, NM United States

Eimers, Benjamin Moers Germany

Kominiak, Scott Corrales, NM United States

Mouser, Emily Canton, OH United States

Sasser, Daniel Charlotte, NC United States

Bair, Erin Pittsburgh, PA United States

Favicchio, Valerie Fort Collins, CO United States

Langdon, Philip Thatcham, Berkshire United Kingdom

Msuya, Seb Belmont, Ontario Canada

Scheve, Eric Spirit Lake, IA United States

Banks, Marie Bristol United Kingdom

Flatt, Herby Henryetta, OK United States

Lawler, Thomas Albuquerque, NM United States

Myers, Kenneth Cuyahoga Falls, OH United States

Schneider, Scott Goddard, KS United States

Bauwens, Betty Brown Park City, UT United States

Ford, Donnette Albuquerque, NM United States

Levesque, Philippe Longueuil, Québec Canada

Myers, Jason McKinney, TX United States

Schroeder, Tom Albuquerque, NM United States

Belgarde, Sonja Sun Prairie, WI United States

Fox, Richard Boynton Beach, FL United States

Linek, David Náchod, Královéhradecký Italy

Nels, Al Beavercreek, OH United States

Seyfert-Joiner, Nicholas Breitscheid, Rheinland-Pfalz Germany

Blackwell, Neal Pennington, NJ United States

Fricke, Barbara Albuquerque, NM United States

Loeffler, Steven Albuquerque, NM United States

Ouvrard, Remi Bonneuil Matours, Vienne France

Shamo, Shelena Orem, UT United States

Bolton, Kenneth Carlisle, IA United States

Gallegos, Frank Los Lunas, NM United States

Maes, Theodore Gibsonia, PA United States

Shane, Michael North Ogden, UT United States

Book, Charles Albuquerque, NM United States

Gebhart, Miranda Indianola, IA United States

Martin, Karen Tucson, AZ United States

Pascoal, Maxime St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Boyer, Donald Belen, NM United States

Heinrich, Philip Phoenix, AZ United States

May, Rodney Albuquerque, NM United States

Breffeilh, Margaret Victor, ID United States

Hernandez, Duncan Las Cruces, NM United States

McAllaster, Phred Albuquerque, NM United States

Byrd-Dickey, Niki Albuquerque, NM United States

Hiben, Eric Lagrange, GA United States

McCollum, Anthony Hurst, TX United States

Caton, Roy Cedar Hill, MO United States

Hurdt, Joseph Shelby, NC United States

McDaniel, Jett Canby, OR United States

Clay, Brian Albuquerque, NM United States

Hyde, Daniel Albuquerque, NM United States

McEvoy, Andrea Mcminnville, OR United States

Conant, John Albuquerque, NM United States

James, Russell Orland, CA United States

McGrew, Scott Colorado Springs, CO United States

Deeney, Marian Monticello, FL United States

Johnson, Victor Prosser, WA United States

Metzler, Alisa Newmanstown, PA United States

Devore, James Covington, IN United States

Jones, Eileen Pacific Grove, CA United States

Michels, Andreas Meerbusch, Deutschland

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Phillips, John Parkland County, Alberta Canada Price, Jessica Rio Rancho, NM United States Procopio, Peter Gallup, NM United States Reeder, Kylee Smartsville, CA United States Reineke, Kathy Mahomet, IL United States Richardson, Molly Brandon, SD United States Rose, Kirke Phoenix, AZ United States Rosenlof, Dean Tempe, AZ United States Runge, David Grand Prairie, TX United States

Speicher, Kerry Longview, TX United States Speicher, Lillian Longview, TX United States Stanko, Nicholas Austin, TX United States Stell, Greg Tulsa, OK United States Stevenson, Frank Frankfort, KY United States Strasmann, David Affoltern im Emmental, Bern Switzerland Strutz, Joseph Brighton, MI United States Suttle, Penny Strasburg, OH United States Tarte, Benoit St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Van Sant, Kurt Albuquerque, NM United States VandeHoef, Cynthia Broomfield, CO United States Wiederkehr, Donna Minneapolis, MN United States Wilson, Dale Augusta, MI United States Word, Truman El Paso, TX United States Yob, David Colorado Springs, CO United States

Life has a lot more to offer

here in New Mexico.

Schedule a visit at one of our two Premier Life Plan Communities and learn how today’s seniors retire in style.

How we are prepared if you outlive your money.

How we prepare for rising healthcare costs by offering healthcare for life.

A full list of amenities awaits you.

(505) 994-2296 Complimentary Lunch: Mention this ad.

NeighborhoodRioRancho.com

(505) 293-4001 LaVidaLlena.com

Wheel E RVing at Balloon Fiesta® By Doug Schwebach

N

o question about it, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is an event for early risers. The show starts well before the sun appears in the sky, when the Dawn Patrol balloons and drone show head aloft. When you have to get up that early, there is absolutely no better place to be than snuggled warmly in a Recreational Vehicle, also known as an RV, at one of the official RV campgrounds next to Balloon Fiesta Park.

For starters, you can sleep in a little bit longer before the festivities begin. You’re already parked close by and don’t have to navigate the early morning incoming traffic. You simply walk to

78

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

the field or hop onto one of the convenient shuttles from your RV encampment. As the morning unfolds, you have a place close by to shed your layers, take a quick break, and recharge to move on to the day’s next adventure. In the afternoon, your ‘wheel estate’ is there for a quick power nap before the evenings’ festivities, which include the Special Shape Glowdeo and the AfterGlow Fireworks Show.

There are nearly 2,000 RV spaces in the Balloon Fiesta’s RV campgrounds. These include the President’s Compound overlooking Balloon Fiesta Park, the north, east, and west VIP lots adjacent to the field, and the largest, the South RV lot,

Estate

LEFT: Dropping into the South RV park. Photo: Kim Vesely ABOVE: A grand view! Photo: Scott Hughes

located a couple of blocks south of the park (with free shuttle service). The RV information website, https://balloonfiesta.com/ RV-Information, includes details about the sites, prices, and more. There are also 30 different places for RV’s to park in and around the Albuquerque area.

The Balloon Fiesta opens RV park reservations for each year’s event in January, and they go fast – really fast. When the 2023 reservation window opened, the website got over 100,000 hits in the first hour. Those not fortunate enough to land a site can get on the waiting list as cancellations will occur.

For the two weeks during and surrounding the event, the

RV campgrounds become their own little communities. Each is managed by a cadre of volunteers – known as Navigators – many of whom come back year after year to take care of the RV park guests. Some of the Navigators come from outside the Albuquerque area just to work in the RV encampments. These Navigators are a great source of tips and information about Balloon Fiesta.

Your fellow campers may be long-time visitors who return year after year, or first-timers just discovering Balloon Fiesta.

Some come as part of RV clubs, but most are individual RV’ers who come from all over the country and even from abroad.

A View From Above

79

ABOVE: Martha! Guess what just dropped in? Photo: Kim Vesely

Everywhere there are cookouts, gatherings, and conversations.

During the morning events, especially in the South RV lot, sometimes visitors even drop in from above, as balloons land in open areas of the campground. When they can safely do so, pilots and crews visit with RV residents, answering questions and talking about the Balloon Fiesta and their balloons. They might even recruit you to help with packing the balloon or being on a chase crew!

The RV campgrounds can accommodate all kinds of RV’s, including travel trailers of all sizes (which can be detached, freeing up the tow vehicle for sightseeing or running errands) and Class A, B, and C drivable motorhomes. The common denominator with all these types of RV’s is that they tend to be ‘self-contained,’ with permanent sleeping, cooking and toilet and

80

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

shower facilities that can be used with or without water, electrical or septic hookups. All offer protection from the elements, and you get to sleep in your own bed and use your own restroom. Most of the RV lots are “dry camping” sites with no hookups, but that’s not a problem in a self-contained trailer or motorhome. For those who really want to rough it, the Balloon Fiesta also offers tent camping in its VIP West lot.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a one-of-akind family affair and is uniquely Albuquerque and New Mexico.

Not only is it the world’s largest ballooning event, but it is also the world’s longest continuously running balloon rally. And there is no better way to take in our beautiful city and state than from behind the wheel of your own personal ‘Wheel Estate!’

Albuquerque’s Ballooning Mayor

82

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Recollections of Harry Kinney and the founding of Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

By Charlotte Kinney, for the AIBF Heritage Committee

T

Kinney, a unique relationship was created between the City and he early 1970s, the Balloon Fiesta’s early years, were Balloon Fiesta. a time of change in Albuquerque. Young men were A project of this magnitude required a broad range of being sent to fight in Vietnam and many Americans experience and expertise, so Mayor Kinney began by forming were protesting the war. Women, gays and lesbians, a “Citizens Committee” to help organize the event. Many of Native Americans and African Americans were starting the people he appointed were not only community leaders, the fight for equality. A crusade to protect the environment from but became active members of the ballooning community. air and water pollution began that continues today. Change Several are still currently involved in leadership roles with was everywhere, including Albuquerque city government. From AIBF, including John Davis IV, Tom McConnell, Dick Rice and 1971 to 1973 Harry Kinney served as the Chairman of the City Jacqueline Hockey. Sheri-Bachtel-Moore, Tom Rutherford, Commission. With the city’s change in 1974 to a mayor-council Charlie Hines, Aubrey Cookman, and Betty Perkins were also form of government, Kinney then served as a full-time Mayor among those who were instrumental in those early days. The and Albuquerque’s chief executive from 1974 to 1977 and Citizens Committee, with the help of hired staff (originally Marge again from 1981 to 1985.

Ruppenthal who along with her husband Bob were part of the Meanwhile, hot air ballooning was just starting to take off foundation of AIBF) would take care of the details of the event, in the city after Sid Cutter purchased a balloon in 1971. This track entries, plan pilot briefings, sell “sponsorships,” and take history has been written about many times, and all agree the care of the innumerable details required to support this event April 1972 Balloon Rally at Coronado Center in Albuquerque that continued to grow each year. It has been said that Harry really lit the flame with the flight of 13 balloons over parts of Kinney was “the sparkplug who lit the fire” under this nonprofit the city. The next year, 1973, Sid hosted the First World Hot Air Balloon Championships with balloons representing 13 countries Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (AIBF) Committee.

In addition to organizational structure and “deep pockets,” flying from the infield at the State Fair racetrack (see the article city resources were critical in the creation of the Albuquerque on page 50). Thirteen proved to be a lucky number -- at this International Balloon Fiesta that point Albuquerque residents really we experience today. Hundreds of got involved, with an estimated more volunteers as well as a large contingent than 10,000 spectators attending of police officers are required daily the event. 1974 brought the “Third to handle the traffic from pilots, crew Albuquerque International Balloon members and spectators. Porta-potties Fiesta” and additional support for are essential and need draining and the event facilitated by changes in cleaning. Huge numbers of spectators the organizational structure of city result in a huge amount of trash. Dirt government. roads in the area and the field need But by this time, Sid had learned to be maintained. One of the most that while balloon events were unexpected tasks I had when I served beautiful and popular with the public, as Balloonmeister in 1982 was to they weren’t a profitable business coordinate with the city bus company to model. He simply did not have the provide transportation to the field from resources to sustain an event of this various large parking locations. Bus size. Also, the State Fair racetrack, service is still critical today, with several while spacious with good parking, different locations allowing attendees was too close to the airport (balloons to park off site and reduce the hassle interfered with departing and landing getting to the field. planes) and there were few good But back to Harry (I call him dad). places to land in the fully developed In some ways he was the “ultimate area. The event needed a support Mayor Kinney officially welcomes participants politician.” He grew up in the small system, and what better than the to the second Hot Air Balloon World town of Raton, NM and attended the City of Albuquerque? Beginning in Championships and 1975 Balloon Fiesta.

From the 1975 official program.

University of New Mexico where he was 1974, with active support from Mayor

A View From Above

83

84

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

a member of the football team and the band (he played trumpet).

Harry was outgoing, extremely social, energetic, and a tireless campaigner – right down to waving at constituents while flying over town with me in my balloon Day Tripper, hollering “I’m Harry Kinney!

I sure would appreciate your vote in the Mayor’s race!

It seemed like everyone Harry met became a friend; when eating at a restaurant he shook hands and greeted everyone in the place. Many, if not most, of them he knew by name and would ask about their family. Of course, Albuquerque was a smaller town back then. My mother passed away unexpectedly in 1969 and Harry had the good fortune to meet, fall in love with and soon marry Carol Naus Roberts, a widow who lived in Los Alamos.

As Mayor, Dad gets, and deserves, a lot of credit. But I want everyone to realize the important support and contributions made by his wife Carol. Like Harry, she was a “people” person, and she added a creative spark to dad’s public life, including Balloon Fiesta. As enthusiastic supporters of the event, they were often on the field for morning ascensions or various other Fiesta events and she never failed to wear her “Balloon” jacket, currently in the collection of the Balloon Museum. Carol put a lot of effort into various aspects of Fiesta. My stepbrother tells the story of coming to visit from his home in North Carolina, only to find he had been

“volunteered” to serve as a crew member for all 10 days, report time at the crack of dawn. Dad and Carol loved to entertain in the home they built overlooking the Rio Grande, Sandia Mountains, and the city. Albuquerque “old timers” (including me) remember the great parties they hosted.

At the core, I believe what made Harry stand out was his ability to choose the right people for the job and his gregarious nature.

Long after his terms as mayor ended, he would visit the balloon field and make the rounds, talking to everyone from those at the first aid station and the spectators on the field to the pilots at the awards ceremony. He could not have imagined a better legacy than the continued success of Balloon Fiesta and the hours of joy and entertainment it provides to the population of the city and the many thousands of visitors.

Harry Kinney passed away in 2006. Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza is named in his honor, and his statue still stands tall there. A recognition plaque presented in 2006 that hangs in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta office says it all: Without his commitment and help, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta would not have survived its first four years. The Balloon Fiesta has become a symbol of Albuquerque in large part because of his dedication and foresight.

LEFT: The Albuquerque Fire Department is just one of the City of Albuquerque departments that supports the Balloon Fiesta.

Photo: Kim Vesely

Adventure Awaits!

Come experience our exciting activities including a prize wheel, a fun photo booth and a special treat just for AARP members!

October 7-15, 2023

Check out the AARP Block Party!

A View From Above

85

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

®

Special Shape Directory

A View From Above

87

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Special Shape Directory

Adler, David BUD E. BEAVER Yuma, AZ United States

Ary, George STEGGY Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo Brazil

Alford, Ben ADELAIDE THE KOALA Bristol United Kingdom

Ashton, Greg MONTIE THE BLACK SHEEP Meridian, ID United States

August, Joe THE CON Newport Beach, CA United States

Bennett, Jeff TALL STEVE Tulsa, OK United States

88

Alves De Souza, Jose Eduardo COOCKO MAG Barueri, São Paulo Brazil

Askren, Sean XFINITY Middletown, OH United States

Baker, Dave MASTER ZABA Thatcham, Berkshire United Kingdom

Bennett, Brian TERRY MOUSE Agency, IA United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Bishop, Trent DARTH VADER Columbus, OH United States

Anderson, Denny TOM CAT Ankeny, IA United States

Assis, Luiz Paulo JOTA BALLOON Cesário Lange, São Paulo Brazil

Ballinger, Barry IN THE BUFF Lubbock, TX United States

Audenaert, Filip HUG A BEAR Waasmunster Belgium

Béjat, Alexis THE LITTLE PRINCE Chatillon Sur Chalaronne France

Bonimcontro, Marcos SEABED São Paulo Brazil

Bowles, Philip DUMA Chippenham, Wiltshire United Kingdom

Brown, Toby ALICORN Denver, CO United States

Burrows, Paul BUSBY THE KING’S GUARD Bristol United Kingdom

Buzzard, Earl SPEEDY Albuquerque, NM United States

Carlton, Dean WAGZ Danville, IL United States

Cassell, James BEAGLE MAXIMUS Albuquerque, NM United States

Cato, Josh BOB THE LIGHTHOUSE Reno, TX United States

Cavin, John YELLOW BIRD Indialantic, FL United States

Cox, Jordan CHRIS P. BACON Carmel, IN United States

Cox, Justin IVO Carmel, IN United States

Davison, Neil BALLOONAFUL SUNRISE Phoenix, AZ United States

Dieringer, Nathan CHEEZY Menasha, WI United States

Dillbeck, Rick ARMADILLO SHERIFF Interlachen, FL United States

Drennan, Ben SUNNY BOY Cordele, GA United States

Eakin, Sean SOMTHIN’ FISHY Tomah, WI United States

Edwards, Don SNOBIRD Soldotna, AK United States

Ferland, Jean-Francois TICO THE SLOTH St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Fogue, Vicki BUZZY Columbia, MO United States

Ford, Mike AMELIA BEARHART Albuquerque, NM United States

Gantt, Doug HAM-LET Rio Rancho, NM United States

Glen, Chris JOEY LITTLE BEE Spokane, WA United States

A View From Above

89

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Special Shape Directory

Glen, Michael JOELLY Mesa, AZ United States

Graham, Colin BARNSTORMER Belgrade, MT United States

Griggs, Katie SUSHI Dayton, NV United States

Griswold, Scott FIRST IN FLIGHT Selkirk, NY United States

Grogan, Patrick STRIKER Cleveland, NC United States

Haege, Brad LINDY Nashville, IL United States

Hlebechuk, Kris PUDDLES Wasilla, AK United States

Hodge, Art PANTHER The Villages, FL United States

Hodge, Jonathan SPLASH Madison Heights, MI United States

Holly, Andrew PICO Gloucestershire United Kingdom

Hooper, Lee ASTRO THE ALIEN Radstock, Somerset United Kingdom

Hunter, Seth ITSY BITSYI Avon, IN United States

Jennings, Rex BABY T-REX Vernal, UT United States

Jones, Derrick TIC TOC Grandville, MI United States

90

Gneiting, Scott SPIDER PIG St. George, UT United States

Kalousdian, Rubens FLYING BUS São Paulo Brazil

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Karlsson, Diane BANDIT Chandler, TX United States

Kinser, Bill MILKYWAY Edmond, OK United States

Komadina, Mark THE STORK Rio Rancho, NM United States

Lajoye, Laurent BELZEBUTH Grand Est France

Lambert, Benoit MASTER YODA BALLOON Court St. Etienne Belgium

Lapointe, Wil KEYSTONE WILLY Indio, CA United States

Lawhorn, Rich HUMPTY DUMPTY Louisville, KY United States

Lima, Lupercio MAGIC LUNA Goiania Brazil

Lopes, Fabio TEDY AND LINDY Torres Brazil

Macedo, Warley MANDRILL Boituva, São Paulo Brazil

McClinton, Scott MARIO THE RACE CAR Prospect, KY United States

Meyer, Mark CARNIVAL Vass, NC United States

Monahan, Todd KERMIE THE FROG Queensbury, NY United States

Monk, Chris DYNO Glastonbury, Somerset United Kingdom

Monk, Claire BUSTER Glastonbury, Somerset United Kingdom

Moore, Ashley WES THE WOLF Bideford, Devon United Kingdom

Moore, Gary OWLBERT EYENSTEIN Lake Havasu City, AZ United States

Mumm, Karalyn OFF THE WALL Reno, NV United States

Naccarato, Francisco BABYMONSTER Ribeirão Prêto, São Paulo Brazil

Newlin, Pat MISS AUTUMN Riverton, WY United States

Nilz, Paddy SAHUARO GRANDE Marana, AZ United States

A View From Above

91

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Special Shape Directory

Pata, John DANGLY BITS Rio Rancho, NM United States

Phelan, Jim 1 DOWN 8-2 GO Lincoln, IL United States

Reichert, Sheryl PARTY! El Cajon, CA United States

Rolfe, Pat CYNTHIA SEAL Battle Creek, MI United States

Romaneschi, Bob LILLY LITTLE BEE Peoria, AZ United States

Sevrin, Sidney SHE DEVIL Villers La Ville Belgium

92

Reineke, Dave PEG LEG PETE Mahomet, IL United States

Sharpe, Ian SIMBALOO Bucknell, Shropshire United Kingdom

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Piendel, Rick BLASER DRUM Annville, PA United States

Randall, Thomas SYDNEY Placitas, NM United States

Ritchie, Dale AIRABELLE Golden, British Columbia Canada

Sasser, Kelly RED DEVIL Phenix City, AL United States

Schuler, Jay PENCIL BOY Reno, NV United States

Shrum, Tamie TE AMO Box Elder, SD United States

Randell, Will LULU Coopersburg, PA United States

Robison, Matt GIZZMO Fort Worth, TX United States

Semler, Jack OGGY THE FRIENDLY DRAGON Westfield, IN United States

Sines, Jan BUZZY THE BEE Ashland, MO United States

Sines, Gary COCO THE CLOWN Ashland, MO United States

Vaillanourt, Jacob SIMBA Trois Rivieres, Quebec Canada

Wall, Cam MR. WINTER Enumclaw, WA United States

Stokoe, Steven FLYING SAUSER Lutz, FL United States

Stukas, Dan MISTER Z Central, SC United States

Van Overwalle, Peter PRINCESS NELLY Nazareth, Oost Vlaanderen Belgium

Wrighton, Simon BELLA THE BULLDOG Jersey United Kingdom

Taveira, Valdemir LITTLE DOG Osasco, São Paulo Brazil

Vavra, William HIGH TOP FLIER Reno, NV United States

Wright-Smith, Beth SMOKEY BEAR Albuquerque, NM United States

Young, Debby ELVIS BALLOON Albuquerque, NM United States

Tremblay, Sylvain PIKO St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Viner, John HYLA THE FROG North Muskham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom

TINY THE FIRE DOG Mechanicsville, VA United States

A View From Above

93

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

International Pilots Alford, Ben ADELAIDE THE KOALA Bristol United Kingdom

Cooper, Hal UPTUIT Port Hope, Ontario Canada

Klymenko, Vlad SLAVA UKRAYINI Kyiv Ukraine

Moore, Ashley WES THE WOLF Bideford, Devon United Kingdom

Torres, Santi LOVE Mexico City Mexico

Alves De Souza, Jose Eduardo COOCKO MAG Barueri, São Paulo Brazil

Drganc, Luka JACK FM Belmont, Ontario Canada

Kostrhun, Pavel COLORED South Moravia Czech Republic

Naccarato, Francisco BABYMONSTER Ribeirão Prêto, São Paulo Brazil

Tremblay, Sylvain PIKO St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Ary, George STEGGY Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo Brazil

Duval Harbour, Jesse LUMY St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Kubicek, Petr KUBICEK DEMO Brno Czech Republic

O’Neill, Mark CHYM FM Belmont, Ontario Canada

Unsworth, Martin FLEURS DE LYSEE St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Assis, Luiz Paulo JOTA BALLOON Cesário Lange, São Paulo Brazil

Dyer, JD TEAM EAGLE, FLYING FOR HEROES Saron, Carmarthenshire United Kingdom

Lajoye, Laurent BELZEBUTH Grand Est France

Orchard, Tim BUGS BUNNY Aylesbury United Kingdom

Vaillancourt, Richard DOCO St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

Lambert, Benoit MASTER YODA BALLOON Court St. Etienne Belgium

Ouellette, Johann ST-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU FESTIVAL Longueuil, Québec Canada

Vaillanourt, Jacob SIMBA Trois Rivieres, Quebec Canada

Audenaert, Filip HUG A BEAR Waasmunster Belgium Baker, Dave MASTER ZABA Thatcham, Berkshire United Kingdom Béjat, Alexis THE LITTLE PRINCE Chatillon Sur Chalaronne France Benitez, Magy TREBOL San Martín de las Pirámides Mexico Betzen, Nico NATURPARK Fouhren Luxembourg Bonimcontro, Marcos SEABED São Paulo Brazil Bowles, Philip DUMA Chippenham, Wiltshire United Kingdom Burrows, Paul BUSBY THE KING’S GUARD Bristol United Kingdom Chabbert, Nicolas KIRMIZI Saint-Martin France Cloutier, Patrick LA MAGIE DE L’AIR KILO St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada

94

Ferland, Jean-Francois TICO THE SLOTH St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada Figueras Leal, Carles ULTRAMAGIC Igualada, Barcelona Spain Garcia-Perrote, Juan 92.1 CITI RADIO Belmont, Ontario Canada George, Peter GRAND BRITANNIA Oxford United Kingdom Hoefler, Greg CAPRICE DU CIEL Chaillon, Lorraine France Holly, Andrew PICO Gloucestershire United Kingdom Hooper, Lee ASTRO THE ALIEN Radstock, Somerset United Kingdom Hora, Tomas NUEVO LEON Praha, Czechia Czech Republic Houle, Alexandre SPHERE MONTGOLFIERE St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Québec Canada Kalousdian, Rubens FLYING BUS São Paulo Brazil

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Lang, Dale JELLY BEAN Taber, Alberta Canada Lima, Lupercio MAGIC LUNA Goiania Brazil Lopes, Fabio TEDY AND LINDY Torres Brazil Macedo, Warley MANDRILL Boituva, São Paulo Brazil Merino Escamilla, Mariel SUMO Mexico City Mexico Michels, Max KREFELD650 Meerbusch Germany Mitchell, Mark 95.9 STAR Belmont, Ontario Canada Monk, Chris DYNO Glastonbury, Somerset United Kingdom Monk, Claire BUSTER Glastonbury, Somerset United Kingdom

Ouvrard, Jean Daniel PARC DE SAINT CYR Thuré France Ramirez, Alejandra FIG LEON MEXICO Mexico City Mexico Ritchie, Dale AIRABELLE Golden, British Columbia Canada Schultz, Marvin SUNDANCE BALLOONS Belmont, Ontario Canada Seghers, Jos SKY STAR Breendonk Belgium Seghers, Stijn AIRE MARC TOO Lippelo, Antwerp Belgium Sevrin, Sidney SHE DEVIL Villers La Ville Belgium Sharpe, Ian SIMBALOO Bucknell, Shropshire United Kingdom Taveira, Valdemir LITTLE DOG Osasco, São Paulo Brazil

Van Overwalle, Peter PRINCESS NELLY Nazareth, Oost Vlaanderen Belgium Viner, John HYLA THE FROG North Muskham, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom Watters, Philippe SUNDANCE BALLOONS Belmont, Ontario Canada Wismer, Jack CHEZ FM Belmont, Ontario Canada Wrighton, Simon BELLA THE BULLDOG Jersey United Kingdom

EXPLORE THE ANDERSON ABRUZZO ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL

BALLOON

museum where things always looking UP!

WE HAVE OUR HEAD IN THE CLOUDS Experience the art, science, history and culture of ballooning and NEW EXHIBITS!

BALLOON MUSEUM EVENTS DURING BALLOON FIESTA® i bi

ts

Saturday, October 7, 9am

Artist talk by Bryce Risley: Focusing Beyond Balloons

Wednesday, October 11, 7am - 9 am

In t e r a c

tiv e

h Ex

Balloons in the Sky Early Chilhood Actvities

Thursday, October 12, 5:30–7:30pm STEAM Night Theme: Annular Eclipse A night of hands-on FUN!

Saturday, October 14, 8:30am–1pm Annular Eclipse Viewing Event Br y c e

Ri s l

e y: c Fo

us

in

gB

ey

ond

B all o

ons

W atc

ht

he e

All activities included with admission Balloon Fiesta Hours: 7am–5pm Regular Hours: Tues-Sunday, 9am–5pm Location: 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE Albuquerque, NM 87113

c li p s e w i t h u s !

Learn More: cabq.gov/balloon @AlbuquerqueBalloonMuseum @balloonmuseum

Balloon Fiesta in Miniature: Fiesta de los Globitos

T

hey’re the hottest trend in hot air ballooning these days. They look and fly just like the real thing, except you can’t ride in them. But oh you can have fun with them, and you don’t even have to have a pilot license.

Radio-controlled (RC) model balloons, sometimes called “globitos,” a term for “little balloons,” are all the rage, the new “must have” accessory for balloonists and wannabe balloonists. They are about ¼ the size of a standard hot-air

balloon and use a gas-fired burner to heat the air and generate lift. They have baskets or gondolas, and sometimes even a “pilot” – a stuffed critter or other mascot in the basket. There are even “special shape” globitos.

One growing trend is for balloon pilots to build RC replicas of their big balloons, or of balloons they’ve previously flown and owned. Some of these replicas are so realistic that from a distance it is almost impossible to tell which balloon it is – the

A View From Above

97

“real” one or the model. One long-time Albuquerque ballooning family whose balloon wore out even built a globito out of the still-airworthy portions of the fabric from their old balloon. It looks just like the real balloon because it is the real balloon, just cut down to a miniature size.

Globitos inflate and fly in much the same way as a standard balloon. A mini-fan blows cold air into the envelope, and when the balloon is full, the pilot lights the burner and stands the balloon upright. Then, a little more heat, and up she goes! RC balloons can be free-flown and even maneuvered to a target in the same way as a full-size hot air balloon, but more frequently they’re operated on a tether for easy retrieval.

It is possible to buy complete RC balloons “off the shelf” for a few thousand dollars, including the envelope (the “balloon” part of the balloon), basket, and fuel system. Other RC balloonists build their own complete systems from scratch. And some buy some components or kits and build other parts: for example,

they’ll buy a basket and fuel system and sew their own envelope.

Who flies RC balloons? Enthusiasts come in all ages and experience levels. Some, of course, are actual balloon pilots. A growing number are “retired” pilots who no longer actively fly, but still enjoy the camaraderie of the ballooning community.

An RC balloon is much easier to inflate, fly, and pack up than a full-size balloon. And some RC enthusiasts have no connection to flying balloons, but just enjoy playing with RC models. In the true ballooning tradition, all are welcomed!

This year marks the Balloon Fiesta’s second “Fiesta de Los Globitos,” with 86 RC balloons registered to participate.

It is one of the largest gatherings of RC balloons in the world.

The Globitos are scheduled to be on the field, weather and wind permitting from 7:30 to 11 AM on Sunday, October 8, Wednesday, October 11, and Friday, October 13.

Photo: Don Henderson

98

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

®

Globitos Directory

Photo: Selena Hardy

A View From Above

99

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Globitos Directory

100

Accardi, Lysa RINGMASTER Gulfport, MS United States

Ahrens, Ryan DUOCORN Albuquerque, NM United States

Anger, Frank DARTMOUTH Belden, MS United States

Bacoccini, Kyle PATRIOT Albuquerque, NM United States

Bond, Melissa PETER PORKER Albuquerque, NM United States

Boston, Blythe SUNSET STALLIONS South Jordan, UT United States

Bright, Lora POCO FUEGO Albuquerque, NM United States

Broemmer, Luke PIXELED Albuquerque, NM United States

Browning, Joseph STARS Rio Rancho, NM United States

Browning, Kate PEQUEÑO PEPPERS Rio Rancho, NM United States

Burns, Stephanie BURNS BRIGHT Corrales, NM United States

Byrd, James WANDERINGSTARLET Albuquerque, NM United States

Carrillo, Francisco A BALLOOOON! Albuquerque, New MN United States

Cowder, Dale PATCHES Las Cruces, NM United States

Cutter, Chris IT’S A WORLD Albuquerque, NM United States

Davis, John DIAMOND PRINCESS Denver, CO United States

Dickey, Carol LITTLE RAINBOW Corrales, NM United States

Glenn, Janell QUIET DESTINY Albuquerque, NM United States

Gurule, Gabriel TRUE FREEDOM Los Lunas, NM United States

Hanbicki, Deiter ASSUMPTIONS Albuquerque, NM United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Hawkins, Jason TREASURE ISLAND Indio, CA United States

Head, J.T. HIGH IN THE SKY Cleveland, GA United States

Holman, Cliff ROCK’N OAK Baird, TX United States

Jones, Derrick REFLECTIONS MINI Grandville, MI United States

Kerns, Michael SIZE DOESN’T MATTER Albuquerque, NM United States

Kipp, Jr., James DAUNTLESS ENDEAVORS Fairplay, CO United States

Komadina, Steven FREEDOM Corrales, NM United States

Lombardi, Loni ENCORE Edgewood, TX United States

Lopez, Scott AIRIEL THE LITTLE UNICORN Albuquerque, NM United States

Manus, Suzi LITTLE BANDIT Los Lunas, NM United States

Mascone, Kristopher DEZZ Los Lunas, NM United States

Maung, Mike PORTHOLES Corrales, NM United States

May, Terri PEPPERMINI DREAM Albuquerque, NM United States

Mckay, Matt HOT SPOT Albuquerque, NM United States

Mouser, Michael NEW YORK’S REVENGE Canton, OH United States

Murner, Edward NOTMAX Versailles, KY United States

Myklebust, Diana SKY CANDY JR. Rio Rancho, NM United States

Ragsdale, Katelyn LITTLE GLORY Colorado Springs, CO United States

Ragsdale, Mike TBD Colorado Springs , CO United States

Raskob, Chuck EURIPIDES Albuquerque, NM United States

A View From Above

101

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

Globitos Directory

102

Raver, Skyler TWIST OF LIME Albuquerque, NM United States

Rice, Dick FIESTA Albuquerque, NM United States

Rice, Ginger BELLA SKY Albuquerque, NM United States

Rice, Jessica BABY HEARTS A’ FIRE Rio Rancho, NM United States

Rice, Judi PATRIO Albuquerque, NM United States

Rice, Kevin CASPER Albuquerque, NM United States

Richards, Ursula BABY BURD Albuquerque, NM United States

Risley, Bryce IMPOSTOR SYNDROME Santa Fe, NM United States

Rolfe, Henry MINI-MOO Battle Creek, MI United States

Rounds, Kelly MINI Z Los Lunas, NM United States

Sanchez, Rebecca DEAD CALM Albuquerque, NM United States

Sanford, Michelle FREEDOM Albuquerque, NM United States

Scalco, Pamela KOKO Rio Rancho, NM United States

Shepherd, Mike M & B DREAMS South Jordan, UT United States

Smatana, Bernard SPECTRUM El Paso, TX United States

Stanke, Natasha BABY BOBBER Albuquerque, NM United States

Steward, Brad CORK THE PUPPY Albuquerque, NM United States

Steward, Michael STEGGY THE DINO-SOAR Albuquerque, NM United States

Stratton, Joe SHROOMS AWAY! Ottawa, KS United States

Sullivan, Alyssa OTEKAH Fayetteville, GA United States

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Suttle, Penny SHAMROCK Strasburg, OH United States

Taylor, Edy BIT-O-MISCHIEF Albuquerque, NM United States

Taylor, William MUFFIN Albuquerque, NM United States

Teran Rascon, Francisco SOARING DREAM Rio Rancho, NM United States

Wellner, Andrew OCEAN BREEZE Tehachapi, CA United States

Welz, Cadence PINKY Albuquerque, NM United States

Welz, Caryn A LITTLE GUILTY Albuquerque, NM United States

Whalen, Trevor PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Groveland, MA United States

White, Cheri TEC JR Austin, TX United States

Whitney, Ryan BLUE SKIES Corrales, NM United States

Yob, David MINI VIVA Colorado Springs, CO United States

Zamarron, Luis ENCHANTED SKIES San Antonio, TX United States

A View From Above

103

66TH Coupe Aéronautique

Gordon Bennett Albuquerque, NM - USA

A View From Above

105

A World Championship Unlike Any Other

T

he Coupe Gordon Bennett is the world’s oldest air race and one of the most prestigious events in aviation. It is recognized today as the gas ballooning distance world championships and features some of the world’s most skilled pilots. The objective is simple: fly the greatest distance from the starting point.

This year is the 66th edition of the Gordon Bennett and marks the fifth time the race has been held in conjunction with the Albuquerque

Launch of the second Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett, 1907 in St. Louis, MO. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons

106

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

International Balloon Fiesta. In these pages, you’ll meet the members of 18 competing teams representing nine countries.

You’ll learn more about the race’s history in the United States and about the race itself. You’ll learn about the race’s controversial founder (today’s tabloids would have loved him).

And you’ll get a glimpse of what it’s like for the pilots as they spend days aloft in a tiny basket as America, in all its beauty and vastness, slowly passes far below.

Gordon Bennett Records Distance Bob Berben and Benôit Siméons of Belgium 3400.39 KM (2112.9 miles), 2005 Duration Wilhelm Eimers and Bernd Landsmann of Germany, 92 hours 11 minutes, 1995

Multiple winners Nine wins Vincent Lëys, France (1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017) with Jean-François Lëys, Sébastian Rolland, and Christophe Houver Seven wins Josef Starkbaum, Austria (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1993) with Gert Sholz and Rainer Rohsler Six wins Ernest Demuyter, Belgium (1920, 1922, 1923,1924, 1936, 1937) with Mathieu Labrousse, Alexander Veenstra, Leon Coeckelbergh, and Pierre Hoffmans Gert Sholz, Austria (1985 – 90) with Josef Starkbaum Five wins Wilhelm Eimers, Germany (1995, 1996, 2000, 2014, 2022) with Bernd Landsmann, Matthias Zenge, and Benjamin Eimers Four wins Kurt Frieden, Switzerland (2010, 2015, 2016, and 2021) with Pascal Witprächtiger Jean-François Lëys, France (1997, 2001, 2002, 2003) with Vincent Lëys Pascal Witprächtiger, Switzerland (2010, 2015, 2016, 2021) with Kurt Frieden Three wins Bernd Landsmann, Germany (1995, 1996, 2000) with Wilhelm Eimers Sébastian Rolland, France (2009, 2011, 2012) with Vincent Lëys Ward T. VanOrman, USA (1926, 1929, 1930) with Walter Morton and A.L. McCracken

Gordon Bennett Timeline

1906

The first Coupe Gordon Bennett is held, with the launch in the Tuileries Gardens in Paris.

American’s Frank Lahm and Henry Hersey fly 398 miles (641 km) to win.

1907

The first Gordon Bennett in the United State is held in St. Louis. The tradition is established that the previous year’s winners earn the honor of holding the race in their country.

1914-1919

The Gordon Bennett is suspended due to World War I

1920

The Gordon Bennett resumes; the race is held in Birmingham, AL.

1933

The Gordon Bennett in Chicago, IL is the last held in the U.S. in 60 years.

1939

The race is scheduled to be held in Lwów, Poland, but is cancelled as World War II begins. It is more than 40 years before the race resumes.

1979

An unsanctioned international gas race in Long Beach, CA revives interest in international gas ballooning competition

1983

The official revival of the Coupe Gordon Bennett launches from the Place de la Concorde in Paris.

1993

The Gordon Bennett returns to the United States, launching from Albuquerque, NM during the International Balloon Fiesta

1995

Wilhelm Eimers and Bernd Landsmann of Germany set the current Gordon Bennett duration record of 92 hours 11 minutes.

2005

Bob Berben and Benôit Siméons of Belgium set the current Gordon Bennett duration record of 3,400 km (approximately 2,113 miles).

A View From Above

107

Meet the Gordon Bennett Competitors Austria AUT-1 Gerald Stürzlinger is one of the race’s most experienced and colorful pilots – only Willi Eimers has competed in more Gordon Bennetts.

Stürzlinger has finished in the top ten 16 times; the last time the Gordon Bennett was held in Albuquerque, he and co-pilot Helmut Meinhofer were the runners-up. Stürzlinger is also a worldclass hot air balloon competitor. Wolfgang Spät is a professional balloonist with more than 1,300 pilot hours. This will be Spät and Sturzlinger’s fifth Gordon Bennett flying together; they finished fifth in 2016.

Austria AUT-2 This will be Christian Wagner’s seventh Gordon Bennett; last year he and Stefanie Liller finished a very respectable 7th. Wagner also competed in the 2019 America’s Challenge, logging a flight from Albuquerque of 1,447 km (nearly 900 miles).

Wagner comes from a ballooning, flying, and skydiving family and is a gas and hot air ballooning instructor who has completed more than 90 gas balloon flights. Steffi Liller is an expedition and adventure lecturer and guide specializing in the polar regions, and also a skydiving champion and a hot air balloonist.

108

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

France FRA-1 Leaders of the robust French and European ballooning communities, Benoît Pelard and Benoît Petérlé are veterans of 10 previous Gordon Bennett races and have competed together in the America’s Challenge since 2017. They’ve scored several top ten finishes in the Gordon Bennett and were third in the 2019 America’s Challenge. Pelard and Péterlé are returning to competition in the Gordon Bennett after a several years’ absence, during which they served as race officials.

France FRA-2 In just a few short years, this team has become a force to be reckoned with in international gas ballooning. They finished second in the 2021 Gordon Bennett, and Decellières, flying with the great Gordon Bennett champion Vincent Lēys, came in second in the 2019 America’s Challenge.

Decellieres and Havret have two top five Gordon Bennett races and four top tens to their credit, and are known as tough, gutsy competitors. Decellières is a businessman and entrepreneur, and Harvet works in real estate.

France FRA-3 A professional balloonist and member of a ballooning and aviation family, Hervé Moine is competing in his ninth Gordon Bennett. He’s finished in the top five three times, including 3rd in 2021. He and Christophe Blanchard flew together in the race for the first time last year. Blanchard is a physician specializing in trauma care and aeronautical medicine. Although relatively new to gas ballooning, he is an experienced airplane and hot air balloon pilot, club president, and event organizer.

Germany GER-1 Wilhelm Eimers has flown in more Gordon Bennetts than any balloonist in history (this will be his 30th) and has won five times. He has more than 9,000 flight hours and holds multiple records, including the Gordon Bennett duration record of more than 92 hours aloft. Eimers’ Gasballonstartplatz Gladbeck is arguably the world’s leading training center for gas ballooning. Benjamin Eimers is this year’s recipient of the Diplome Montgolfier, ballooning’s highest award. He holds several German ballooning records and is a professional balloonist. The Eimers, father and son, are the defending Gordon Bennett champions.

A View From Above

109

Germany GER-2 Benedict Munz and Matthias Schlegel are competing in their fourth Gordon Bennett and have a couple of mid-pack finishes to their credit. Both pilots are also experienced hot air balloonists who fly in events in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. Munz has nearly 1,000 hours in balloons and has twice placed in the top three in the German national hot air balloon championships. Schlegel has nearly 1,500 hours in gas and hot air balloons and, in addition to piloting, has provided weather and strategic support for several Gordon Bennett teams.

Germany GER-3 Father and son Andreas and Max Michels are new to flying in Gordon Bennett, but are experienced second and third generation balloonists. Max is a certified balloon maintenance engineer and flight instructor, and for the last five years has provided Command Center support for the Eimers and other German Gordon Bennett teams. Andreas has been involved in ballooning for more than 50 years and is a certified flight instructor with more than 2,100 hours in gas balloons and 1,900 hours in hot air balloons.

Lithuania LTU-1 Robertas Komža is a professional balloonist, designated examiner, and airship pilot and owner of a Lithuanian ride operations and balloon maintenance and repair facility. He is flying in his fourth Gordon Bennett. Both of Robertas’ sons are also balloonists and his younger son, Danielius, won the Lithuanian national hot air ballooning championship last year. Komža’s Gordon Bennett co-pilot, Romanas Mikelevičius, has more than 4,000 hours experience in hot air and gas balloons and flew with Komža in last year’s race.

Poland POL-1 After years of runner-up finishes in the America’s Challenge, jovial Polish competitor Krzyszotf Zapart broke the jinx in 2019, when he won the race with American co-pilot Andy Cayton. They landed in the Canadian wilderness, serving notice to the gas ballooning community that they’ll go for broke to win. Zapart has also flown in eight Gordon Bennett races, with seven top 10 and four top 5 finishes.

His copilot, Piotr Halas, is returning to the Gordon Bennett after a quarter-century absence; he last competed in the race in 1997.

110

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Poland POL-2 Bogdański, a member of the Polish national team, is one of only three previous Gordon Bennett winners in the field. He and Mateusz Rękas were victorious in 2018. In Albuquerque, he will fly in his eighth Gordon Bennett. Co-pilot Przemyslaw Mościcki is a Gordon Bennett rookie, but an experienced hot air balloonist. He is one of the many pilots in this race who trained with German Gordon Bennett champion Willi Eimers, including making a recent flight across the English Channel.

Poland POL-3 Olszewski and Cieślak have an unorthodox background for Gordon Bennett pilots: much of their experience was gained flying ultralight aircraft, including paragliders, flying gyrocopters and ultralight airplanes, and they became balloonists relatively recently. This will be Andrzej Olszewski’s and Jaroslaw Cieślak’s third Gordon Bennett together. They made it into the top 10 in their first race in 2021.

Spain ESP-1 González and Aguirre are funloving, adventurous pilots with fascinating ballooning resumes.

González has flown over both the North and South Poles, and Aguirre has flown in 31 countries on five continents. They won the America’s Challenge gas balloon race in 2014, and in their seven previous Gordon Bennetts have two third place finishes, two fourths, and six top 10s. Both are professional balloonists who fill down time during their long hours aloft talking about soccer.

Switzerland SUI-1 Two-time Gordon Bennett competitor Balthasar Wicki made the top 10 in 2021-22. An attorney by profession, Wicki holds German gas balloon distance, duration, and altitude records and has served as head of the Swiss Ballooning Academy.

Co-pilot René Erni has been a balloonist and a member of the Swiss national hot air balloon team since 2005. He is participating in his first Gordon Bennett and is a chemist in his professional life. Both Wicki and Erni are also experienced paragliders.

A View From Above

111

United Kingdom GBR-1 Deborah Day Scholes has big ballooning dreams and and recently attempted an Atlantic Ocean crossing with her husband Mike Scholes, who mentored her passion for ballooning. This will be her first Gordon Bennett, but her co-pilot, John Rose, is a professional balloonist who has competed in six previous Gordon Bennetts. Rose has several alpine crossings and four transits of the English Channel on his resume, as well as participating as a hot-air balloonist in six Balloon Fiestas.

United States USA-1 Noah Forden and Bert Padelt, the defending America’s Challenge champions, represented the US in the 2022 Gordon Bennett, finishing 9th. It was Forden’s first Gordon Bennett and Padelt’s third; they had also flown together in four America’s Challenge races, winning in 2021. Forden is an aerospace engineer and experienced fixed wing and hot air balloon pilot. Padelt owns a balloon repair facility and is a master balloon builder who has been a key member of the support teams for several notable world record flights.

United States USA-2 This Albuquerque team’s diverse ballooning resume includes thousands of hours flying gas and hot air balloons on four continents, four America’s Challenge gas balloon race wins, and third and fourth place finishes in their eight Gordon Bennett starts. They also build their own balloons (four so far), have participated in several balloon flights exploring historical and scientific concepts, and are highly respected as instructors, mentors, and leaders in the ballooning community.

United States USA-3 Mark Sullivan holds the record for the most competition gas balloon flights in history: 25 Gordon Bennett flights and 21 America’s Challenge races (including two wins). He has 14 top ten finishes in the Gordon Bennett, including two second, two third, and two fourth places. Mark is the president of the FAI Ballooning Commission (CIA), which governs ballooning international championships, competition, and world records.

Cheri White, a former women’s hot air ballooning national champion and Balloon Federation of America president, has flown in the Gordon Bennett 14 times, the most ever by a female pilot.

112

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

66TH Coupe Aéronautique

Gordon Bennett Officials Gordon Bennett Event Director

Tomas Hora

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (AIBF) Event Director

Jennifer Garcia

Chair, AIBF Gas Balloon Committee

Mark Sullivan

Deputy Gordon Bennett Event Director

John Petrehn

Steward

Marc Andre

Safety Officer

Wally Book

Assistant Safety Officers Launch Master/AIBF Executive Director

Mike Garcia, Chuck Raskob Sam Parks

Meteorologist

Randy Lefevre

Scoring Officer

Jim Byrd

Jury President

Garry Lockyer (Canada)

Jury Members

John C. Davis, IV (USA), Luc Van Geyte (Belgium)

Command Center Director Command Center Controllers

Onboard Tracking Equipment Coordinator Gordon Bennett TV Media Website Field Manager Hydrogen Operations

Ruth Lind Ben Anello, Jon Ashworth, Jeff Davis, Guy Feltman, Richard Iverson, Chris LaFleur, Carolyn Lilley, Stasia Ruskie, Cliff Tvede Harris “Goodie” Goodwin Regan Tetlow, Christian Michel, Florian Michel Tom Garrity, Amanda Molina, Kim Vesely Ken Tuley Damian Duran-Arias Jim Smith

A View From Above

113

66TH Coupe Aéronautique

Gordon Bennett Past Winners

114

Date

Location

Pilots

Country

Duration

Distance

1906

Paris (France)

Frank Lahm, Henry Hersey

USA

(hh:mm)

(km)

(mi)

22:15:00

641.1

398.36

1907

St. Louis (United States)

Oskar Erbslöh, Henry Helm Clayton

1908

Berlin (Germany)

Theodor Schaek, Emil Messner

Germany

40:00:00

1403.55

872.13

Switzerland

73:01:00

1190

739.43

1909

Zürich (Switzerland)

1910

St. Louis (United States)

Edgar W. Mix, Andre Roussel

USA

35:07:00

1121.11

696.63

Alan Ramsay Hawley, Augustus Post

USA

44:25:00

1887.6

1172.9

1911 1912

Kansas City (United States)

Hans Gericke, Otto Duncker

Germany

12:28:00

757.84

470.9

Stuttgart (Germany)

Maurice Bienaimé, René Rumpelmayer

France

45:42:00

2191

1361.42

1913

Paris (France)

Ralph Upson, Ralph Preston

USA

43:30:00

618

384.01

1920

Birmingham (United States)

Ernest Demuyter, Mathieu Labrousse

Belgium

40:15:00

1769

1099.21

1921

Brussels (Belgium)

Paul Armbruster, Louis Ansermier

Switzerland

27:24:00

766

475.97

1922

Geneva (Switzerland)

Ernest Demuyter, Alexander Veenstra

Belgium

25:49:00

1372.1

852.58

1923

Brussels (Belgium)

Ernest Demuyter, Leon Coeckelbergh

Belgium

21:00:00

1155

717.68

1924

Brussels (Belgium)

Ernest Demuyter, Leon Coeckelbergh

Belgium

43:16:00

714

443.66

1925

Brussels (Belgium)

Alexander Veenstra, Philippe Quersin

Belgium

47:30:00

1345

835.74

1926

Antwerp (Belgium)

Ward Van Orman, Walter W. Morton

USA

16:37:00

864

536.86

1927

Detroit (United States)

Edward J. Hill, Arthur G. Schlosser

USA

48:00:00

1198

744.4

1928

Detroit (United States)

William Kepner, William Eareckson

USA

48:00:00

740.8

460.31

1929

St. Louis (United States)

Ward Van Orman, Alan L. McCracken

USA

24:00:00

548.94

341.1

1930

Cleveland (United States)

Ward Van Orman, Alan L. McCracken

USA

27:56:00

872

541.84

1932

Basel (Switzerland)

Thomas G. W. Settle, Wilfred Bushnell

USA

41:20:00

1550

963.13

1933

Chicago (United States)

Franciszek Hynek, Zbigniew Burzyński

Poland

38:32:00

1361

845.69

1934

Warsaw (Poland)

Franciszek Hynek, Władysław Pomaski

Poland

44:48:00

1333

828.29

1935

Warsaw (Poland)

Zbigniew Burzyński, Władysław Wysocki

Poland

57:54:00

1650.47

1025.55

1936

Warsaw (Poland)

Ernest Demuyter, Pierre Hoffmans

Belgium

46:24:00

1715.8

1066.15

1937

Brussels (Belgium)

Ernest Demuyter, Pierre Hoffmans

Belgium

46:15:00

1396

867.43

1938

Liège (Belgium)

Antoni Janusz, Franciszek Janik

Poland

37:47:00

1692

1051.36

1939

Lwów (Poland)

Race not held due to onset of WW II

—

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

—

Date

Location

Pilots

Country

Duration

Distance

1983

Paris (France)

Stefan Makné, Ireneusz Cieślak

Poland

(hh:mm)

(km)

(mi)

36:00:00

690

428.75

1984

Zürich (Switzerland)

Karl Spenger, Martin Messner

1985

Geneva (Switzerland)

Josef Starkbaum, Gert Scholz

Switzerland

43:08:00

793

492.75

Austria

21:09:00

342

212.51

1986

Salzburg (Austria)

1987

Seefeld (Austria)

Josef Starkbaum, Gert Scholz

Austria

19:11:00

272.43

169.28

Josef Starkbaum, Gert Scholz

Austria

32:16:00

852

529.41

1988 1989

Bregenz (Austria)

Josef Starkbaum, Gert Scholz

Austria

41:09:00

1110.9

690.28

Lech (Austria)

Josef Starkbaum, Gert Scholz

Austria

37:33:00

911.2

566.19

1990

Lech (Austria)

Josef Starkbaum, Gert Scholz

Austria

33:20:00

692.5

430.3

1991

Lech (Austria)

Volker Kuinke, Jürgen Schubert

Germany

44:18:00

1039.4

645.85

1992

Stuttgart (Germany)

David N. Levin, James Herschend

USA

45:36:00

964.19

599.12

1993

Albuquerque (United States)

Josef Starkbaum, Rainer Röhsler

Austria

59:29:00

1832

1138.35

1994

Lech (Austria)

Karl Spenger, Christian Stoll

Switzerland

31:01:00

825.14

512.72

1995

Wil (Switzerland)

Wilhelm Eimers, Bernd Landsmann *

Germany

92:11:00

1628.1

1011.65

1996

Warstein (Germany)

Wilhelm Eimers, Bernd Landsmann

Germany

72:01:00

1286.9

799.64

1997

Warstein (Germany)

Vincent Leys, Jean François Leys

France

45:30:00

1732.5

1076.53

1998

Paris (France)

Race not held

—

1999

Albuquerque (United States)

Phillipe de Cock, Ronny Van Havere

Belgium

40:15:00

1666.54

1035.54

2000

Saint-Hubert (Belgium)

Wilhelm Eimers, Bernd Landsmann

Germany

70:49:00

795.7

494.42

2001

Warstein (Germany)

Vincent Leys, Jean François Leys

France

77:47:00

1626.6

1010.72

2002

Châtellerault (France)

Vincent Leys, Jean François Leys

France

69:59:00

1282.3

796.78

2003

Arc-et-Senans (France)

Vincent Leys, Jean François Leys

France

53:42:00

1596.5

992.02

2004

Thionville (France)

Richard Abruzzo, Carol Rymer Davis

USA

52:52:00

1803.36

1120.56

2005

Albuquerque (United States)

Bob Berben, Benoît Siméons **

Belgium

65:20:00

3400.39

2112.9

2006

Waasmunster (Belgium)

Philippe de Cock, Ronny Van Havere

Belgium

66:53:00

2449.6

1522.11

2007

Brussels (Belgium)

Race not held

—

2008

Albuquerque (United States)

David Hempleman-Adams, Jonathan Mason

Great Britain

74:12:00

1768.67

1099

2009

Geneva (Switzerland)

Sébastien Rolland, Vincent Leys

France

85:18:00

1588.29

986.92

2010

Bristol (England)

Kurt Frieden, Pascal Witprächtiger

Switzerland

58:37:00

2434.31

1512.61

2011

Gap-Tallard (France)

Sébastien Rolland, Vincent Leys

France

26:42:00

779.83

484.56

2012

Toggenburg (Switzerland)

Sébastien Rolland, Vincent Leys

France

69:02:00

1620.06

1006.66

2013

Grand Nancy-Tomblaine (France)

Vincent Leys, Christophe Houver

France

73:33:00

1402.42

871.42

2014

Vichy (France)

Wilhelm Eimers, Matthias Zenge

Germany

61:35:00

1410.64

876.53

2015

Pau (France)

Kurt Frieden, Pascal Witprächtiger

Switzerland

68:21:00

2080.8

1292.95

2016

Gladbeck (Germany)

Kurt Frieden, Pascal Witprächtiger

Switzerland

58:12:00

1803.4

1120.58

2017

Fribourg (Switzerland)

Vincent Leys, Christophe Houver

France

36:20:00

1836.06

1140.87

2018

Bern (Switzerland)

Mateusz Rękas, Jacek Bogdański

Poland

58:28:00

1145.29

711.65

2019

Montbéliard (France)

Laurent Sciboz, Nicolas Tièche

Switzerland

82:03:00

1774.76

1102.78

2020

—

—

Race not held (COVID)

2021

Torun (Poland)

Kurt Frieden, Pascal Witprächtiger

Switzerland

85:10:00

1559.68

969.14

2022

St. Gallen (Switzerland)

Wilhelm Eimers, Benjamin Eimers

Germany

60:50:00

1572.36

977.02

2023

Albuquerque (United States)

*Duration record **Distance record

A View From Above

115

The Founder of the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett

James Gordon Bennett, Jr.

N

ewspaper publisher, sportsman, and outrageous eccentric, James Gordon Bennett, Jr. lived one of those lives soap opera writers dream about. His name to this day is a popular expletive in England -- “Gordon Bennett!” means essentially, “Good Lord!” One can only imagine what social media would have made of him.

Bennett’s Scots-born father, James Gordon Bennett, was the founder of the New York Herald and a co-founder of the Associated Press. His son, James Gordon Bennett, Jr., was born in 1841 and largely educated in Europe. Bennett, Jr. briefly served in the Civil War as a naval officer before taking over the Herald from his father. He also was the co-founder of one of the world’s first transatlantic cable ventures.

As a newspaperman, Bennett continued in his father’s footsteps, luring prominent writers and financing headlinemaking expeditions. He sent Henry Stanley to Africa to find Dr. David Livingstone (“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?). and financed a disastrous expedition to explore the Arctic and the North Pole.

Sadly, the expedition’s leader and 19 crew members died.

As a socialite, Bennett was less than a roaring success. He was banished from New York society after showing up, roaring drunk, at a New Year’s Eve party at his fiancée’s parents’ home and relieving himself in the fireplace (some say the grand

116

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

piano) in front of all the guests.

His fiancée dumped him, too.

He spent most of the rest of his life in Europe, living on his yacht and in Paris.

A legitimate sportsman and world-class yachtsman in his own right – he won the world’s first trans-oceanic yacht race – Bennett is today probably best known for his contributions to sports. He is generally credited with organizing the first polo match and first tennis match in the United States, and established trophies in yachting, automobile racing, airplane racing, and of course ballooning.

The Gordon Bennett for automobiles was the first auto race ever held, and the Coupe Gordon Bennett for gas balloons is the world’s oldest air race and is the only one of the events Bennett founded that survives as a major international event.

Ironically, Bennett never drove a car or, as far as we know, flew a balloon.

Bennett remained active in journalism into World War I, but his charitable contributions, expensive journalistic stunts, outrageous lifestyle, and passion for sports depleted his and the Herald’s resources. Bennett died in France in 1918, and five years later, the Herald merged with its hated rival the Tribune to become the now also-defunct New York HeraldTribune. His name survives on several Siberian islands, as well as a lake, peak, and ghost town in British Columbia.

1906: The very first Coupe Gordon Bennett, in the heart of Paris

The Gordon Bennett in the United States

I

By Kim Vesely, for the AIBF Heritage Committee Historic Photos from the Albert Van Den Bemden Collection

t is perhaps not surprising that Americans, and even some American balloonists, know very little about the world’s oldest air race. The Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett is a thrilling, mano-a-mano competition among gas balloonists, founded in Europe in 1906 by American expatriate James Gordon Bennett, who could be described as a “man’s man.”

(You can learn more about him in the article on on the previous page.) Winning is long on bragging rights and short (like nonexistent) on prize money. But the winners do earn the honor of having their country host the race in the next two years.

In the race’s modern era, the Gordon Bennett has become almost an exclusively European preserve, and small wonder.

For many reasons, gas ballooning has never really caught on in the United States. Gas flights take place much more frequently

in Europe, where hydrogen, the current lifting gas of choice, is less expensive and easier to get. By contrast, largely due to the unavailability of affordable hydrogen, America’s small cadre of gas balloonists has been all but grounded for the last four years.

It was not always so. In the early, pre World War II days of the Gordon Bennett, American pilots frequently triumphed over their European counterparts, and as a result several U.S. cities hosted the race. But with the expansion of air power in the two World Wars, gas balloons all but disappeared in the US, an anachronism pursued by a handful of enthusiasts who appreciated the history and glamor of the sport. The Gordon Bennett itself disappeared: at least one influential European balloonist, the great Fred Dolder, deemed the Gordon Bennett races to be a thing of the past.

A View From Above

117

This all began to change in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett resumed as an internationally-sanctioned event in 1983. Since then, only five of the 41 Gordon Bennett races have been held in the United States, all of them in Albuquerque, NM.

The early Gordon Bennetts in the U.S. The first Coupe Gordon Bennett began in the shadow of the Louvre, in the historic Tuilières Gardens in the center of Paris.

Two hundred thousand ecstatic Parisians turned out to see the launch. The first winners were an American team, U.S. Army Lieutenant Frank Lahm and co-pilot Henry Hersey. Under the rules established by Bennett for his balloon race, as for his races in other sports, the winning team’s home country was afforded the honor of holding the next year’s event. Therefore, in 1907, the race came to the United States for the first time and was held in St. Louis, MO. Lahm’s victory got a lot of attention back home, and several officers rushed to get their balloon licenses. Lahm himself became ill and couldn’t compete, but Henry Hersey headed one of the three American teams. Three German, two French, and one British team crossed the pond to compete (a second British team, which included Charles S. Rolls of Rolls-Royce fame, was a no-show). The race was won by German Oscar Erbslöh, flying 872 miles (1,404 km.) with an American co-pilot, Henry Helm Clayton*.

Erbslöh, tragically, died three years later in an airship accident.

Edgar Mix’s victory at the 1909 Gordon Bennett brought the race back to the U.S. and to St. Louis in 1910. This year, the winds were to the north. The good news is that there’s a lot of land north of St. Louis, making for some very long flights.

Seven of the 10 balloons crossed the Great Lakes and headed into Canada. The eventual winners, Americans Alan Hawley and Augustus Post, flew 1,172 miles (1888 km.), the longest Gordon Bennett flight up to that time.

Unfortunately for the competitors, a lot of Canada -especially in 1910 -- was trackless wilderness. Several teams were lost for days. One German team landed in Lake Nipising, swam ashore, and was greeted by the local Indians. Another abandoned their balloon in the wilderness and spent 10 days hiking out. Their balloon was found three months later by Inuits.

It took nearly as long for the winners to get out word of their whereabouts. They had a four-day hike from their landing site to a woodcutter’s cabin, and even then were far from civilization.

In 1911, the race moved from St. Louis to Kansas City. The Americans had high hopes of winning a third Gordon Bennett but this wasn’t to be the Americans’ year. Hans Gericke, who had finished second the year before, won the event with co-pilot Otto Duncker. Their weather-shortened flight of 471 miles (758 km) ended in Wisconsin.

Americans Ralph Upson and R.A.I. Preston captured the cup in 1913, when the race was held in Paris. But World War I intervened, and it was seven long years before the Gordon

*This was before the Gordon Bennett rule was established which requires both pilot and co-pilot to be citizens of the country for which they compete.

Inflation proceeds at the 1920 Gordon Bennett at Birmingham, AL.

118

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Ward Van Orman of the United States

Bennett race was resumed. By then, the world had changed, ravaged by world conflict. James Gordon Bennett, the race’s sponsor, died in 1918. The future of flight clearly belonged to the airplane; balloons were fast becoming an afterthought, if not a frivolous distraction.

Nonetheless, the race was revived and held in Birmingham, AL. Austria and Germany, considered to be guilty parties in the war, were excluded from participating (until 1927). The event proved to be a great success with the public, but not for the Americans. This was the year Belgium’s Ernest Demutyer began his long reign as King of the Gordon Bennett, achieving the first of his six wins. His flight, from Birmingham to Lake Champlain in Vermont, remains the twelfth-longest in Gordon Bennett history (1,099 mi./1769 km.).

In 1926, Ward T. Van Orman ended the Belgians’ streak with the first of his three Gordon Bennett triumphs. The 1927 race was held in Detroit, MI, just a few months after Lindbergh

completed his historic powered non-stop crossing of the Atlantic. The Germans were back (the Austrians would not return until the 1930s) with high hopes of victory. However, the last years of the 1920’s were to be all red, white, and blue. Edward Hill and A.G. Schlosser won the 1927 race with a 744 mi.

(1198 km.) flight.

In 1928, the race was back in Detroit, with much hoopla: it included a 6,000mile airplane race with 50 competitors as well as an air show. Orville Wright (yes, that Orville, the co-inventor of the airplane) was the race director. Sixty thousand spectators were on hand to hear Edsel Ford (yes, that Edsel) fire the starting gun. Once again, the Americans claimed victory. The team of William Kepner and W.O. Eareckson flew only 460 miles (741 km), but in a stormlashed year, it was enough.

The race moved to St. Louis in 1929 and to Cleveland in 1930. Both events were won by Ward Van Orman and A.L. McCracken. Once again, thunderstorms plagued the 1929 race, creating some of the most difficult flying conditions in the race’s history. The three American teams swept the top three places, demonstrating the superiority of American-made balloons manufactured

by Goodyear. But the world was losing interest in balloon races and the Europeans were losing interest in competing on another continent. The American teams swept again in 1930, but only six teams -- three American, three European -- competed.

Clearly, something needed to be done.

The Gordon Bennett took a year off in 1931, and the Americans agreed to let the F.A.I. choose a site for the 1932 race. The event was held in Basle, Switzerland, but the switch in continents didn’t faze the Americans. T.G.W. Settle and W. Bushnell brought the race back to America, and in 1933, the race was held in Chicago.

The winds took the balloons northeast across the Great Lakes.

The heavier German and French balloons were outmatched by the lighter weight balloons of the Americans. However, this time, a European team had the lightweight technology to stay with the Americans. Polish pilots Franxyzek Hynek and Zbigniew Bruzynski triumphed and began several years of Polish domination of the Gordon Bennett. Their run of success was broken only by the great Ernest Demuyter’s last two victories . . . and by World War II. The Great War, with its emphasis on air power, was no place for balloons, although the Japanese launched unmanned, pyrotechnic-carrying gas balloons, called Fu Go’s, in a farfetched scheme to unleash terror on the United States.

A View From Above

119

Hundreds of the Fu Go’s actually made it to the Americas, though they caused few deaths and little damage. In the aftermath of the war, gas ballooning was largely forgotten with the exception of a few romantic enthusiasts around the world.

The Modern Era Two parallel events played a role in the revival of interest in a distance gas balloon race. One was the growing visibility of, and popularity of, hot air ballooning. Then, in 1978, the world was mesmerized by the successful completion of the first transatlantic balloon flight by a team of pilots from Albuquerque: Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman. In 1979, the first of several races held in the United States under the name “Friends of Gordon Bennett” was held, attracting a strong international field and arguably reviving interest in distance gas ballooning competition in the US and abroad. Abruzzo and Anderson won the first of these races, and the legendary Joe Kittinger emerged victorious three times, the last time with his wife, Sherry, as co-pilot.

However, the Friends of Gordon Bennett races were never officially sanctioned. Way back in 1906, James Gordon Bennett had entrusted the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world air sports federation chartered in 1905, with running the event. The FAI, for a variety of reasons, did not sanction the American races. Instead, in 1983, it brought back the Gordon Bennett as an officially-sanctioned event, with a storm-lashed launch from the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Polish pilots Stefan Makne and Ireneuz Cieslak won a race shortened by international borders (East Germany would not permit balloons to fly into the country). Americans Maxie Anderson and Don Ida, flying as non-competitors, died while attempting to land short of the East German border.

The race didn’t return to America until 1993, exactly 60 years after its last appearance in the United States. In 1992, Americans David Levin and James Herschend became the first U.S. winners since T.G.W. Settle in 1932. This gave the U.S. the privilege of hosting the next Gordon Bennett. By then, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta had become the world’s most visible and widely-attended ballooning event. The Balloon Fiesta had also, from time to time, hosted gas balloon races. Bringing the race to Albuquerque was a logical step.

ABOVE: August 1978: Double Eagle II prepares for launch (National Geographic/AAAIBM) LEFT: “Friends of Gordon Bennett” balloon mail (Author’s collection)

120

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

The launch of the 1993 Gordon Bennett had all the pageantry the Balloon Fiesta event staff could dream up, including the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra playing the teams’ national anthems as they launched.

With 20 balloons from 10 nations competing, it was one of the largest distance balloon races in history. This proved to be a race where experience paid off and those who could best use the weather data prevailed. For 13 teams, convective activity and the inability to clear the mountains spelled an early end to the race. The great Josef Starkbaum, with co-pilot Rainer Rohsler, won the last of his seven victories, flying 1,138 miles (1832 km.) to a landing at Campbellsport, MN. It would be another 11 years before an American team would win a Gordon Bennett, but as fate would have it, the race would return to the United States long before. In 1999, following the weather-related cancellation of the 1998 race, the F.A.I. requested bids from potential host cities. As a result of that process, the F.A.I. brought the Gordon Bennett back to Albuquerque, which – thanks to the inauguration of the

America’s Challenge race in 1995 -already had the infrastructure in place to run a large-scale gas balloon race.

The Belgian team of Phillipe de Cock and Ronny Van Havare flew 1,035 miles (1667 km), landing in Mississippi. The Canadian team of Leo Burman and Danielle Francoeur finished second, the highest sanctioned finish up to that time for a woman. Teams from Austria, the Netherlands, and Germany rounded out the top five.

The Gordon Bennett returned to America and Albuquerque in 2005, following Richard Abruzzo’s and Carol Rymer Davis’ 2004 Gordon Bennett win (the last by an American team). It is hardly surprising that Abruzzo and Davis entered this race as the favorites to win, as defending champions who both had spent much of their ballooning lives flying in Albuquerque. But their race ended less than 24 hours after they launched, when Abruzzo was thrown out of the basket after the balloon contacted powerlines in Kansas. Both pilots were lucky to have survived, and tragically, both were killed in 2010 while competing in the Gordon Bennett.

The 2005 Gordon Bennett was epic in every way, one of

The 2008 Gordon Bennett (Author’s collection)

A View From Above

121

Winners of Gordon Bennett Races Held in the U.S.

122

Year

City

Winners

1907

St Louis, MO

Oscar Erbsloh/Henry Clayton (Germany/USA)

1910

St Louis, MO

Alan Hawley/Augustus Post (USA)

1911

Kansas City, KS

Hans Gericke/Otto Duncker (Germany)

1920

Birmingham, AL

Ernest Demuyter/ M. Labrousse (Belgium)

1927

Detroit, MI

Edward Hill/A.G. Schlosser (USA)

1928

Detroit, MI

William Kepner/ W.O. Eareckson (USA)

1929

St. Louis, MO

Ward Van Orman/ A.L. McCracken (USA)

1930

Cleveland, OH

Ward Van Orman/ A.L. McCracken (USA)

1933

Chicago, IL

Francyzek Hynek/ Zbigniew Burznyski (Poland)

1993

Albuquerque, NM

Josef Starkbaum/ Rainer Rohsler (Austria)

1999

Albuquerque, NM

Phillipe de Cock/ Ronny Van Havere (Belgium)

2005

Albuquerque, NM

Bob Berben/Benoit Siméons (Belgium)

2008

Albuquerque, NM

David Hempleman-Adams/ Jon Mason (Great Britain)

2023

Albuquerque, NM

???

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

the largest mass launches of gas balloons ever held, with 26 balloons lifting off from Balloon Fiesta Park: 14 Gordon Bennett competitors followed by 12 balloons participating concurrently in the Balloon Fiesta’s America’s Challenge gas balloon competition. Eight Gordon Bennett teams flew further than 1,000 mi. (1,621 km), and the top four broke the old Gordon Bennett distance record which had stood since 1912.

Belgium’s Bob Berben and Benoît Siméons flew 3,400.39 km (2,112.9 miles), landing about 30 miles east of Rivere du Loop, Quebec, Canada and establishing a new Gordon Bennett distance record that still stands today.

Three years later, the Gordon Bennett competitors were back in Albuquerque. Once again, the race was run concurrently with the America’s Challenge. David Hempleman-Adams and Jonathan Mason became the first and still the only team from Great Britain to ever win the Gordon Bennett. Their distance of 1,768.67 km (1,099 miles) was respectable, but this race was especially epic for its duration. Hempleman-Adams and Mason were aloft for more than 74 hours. Second place finishers Gerald Sturzlinger and Helmut Meirhofer of Austria, in trying to overtake the winners, flew for 76 hours and 21 minutes, and the U.S. third place team of Barbara Fricke and Peter Cuneo stayed up for 73 hours 36 minutes before hitting snow in Minnesota and having to land.

So what lies in store for the first Gordon Bennett to be held in the United States in 15 years? The previous Gordon Bennetts held in Albuquerque offer some clues. The wide-open spaces of the U.S. and Canada offer competitors the opportunity to fly long distances without having to deal with international borders, running into oceans or seas, or (if they stay north of Mexico) “closed” countries. You can follow and root for your favorite teams in real time through live satellite tracking on the free YB tracking app or the 2023 Gordon Bennett website.

The authors of our Coupe Gordon Bennett material gratefully acknowledge Ulrich Hohmann, Sr.and Uli Hohmann, Jr. of Germany, who have compiled in detail the history of the Gordon Bennett, along with the work done by Hans Åkerstedt of Sweden and others in compiling information on notable balloon flights and achievements.

Your Questions about the Gordon Bennett What is the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett?

The Coupe Aéronatique Gordon Bennett is the world’s oldest air race, founded in 1906. It is currently considered to be the world championship event for gas balloons and is one of only two gas balloon distance races in the world. The other is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s America’s Challenge, which will not be held this year.

How do you win?

It’s simple: the winner is the team that flies the greatest distance from the launch point, Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, while competing within the event rules.

What do you win?

A trophy and lots of attaboys (or girls) and bragging rights.

There is no prize money associated with winning the Gordon Bennett.

What is a gas balloon?

Unlike hot air balloons, which use heated ambient air for lift, gas balloons get their lift from a lighter-than-air gas, such as hydrogen or helium. Almost all gas balloons now use hydrogen, the lightest of the gases. Helium, which until recently was the gas of choice in the United States due to its stability, has become prohibitively expensive and scarce.

How do gas balloons “work”?

The lifting gas (hydrogen) is contained in an envelope (the “balloon” part of the balloon) that is built out of heavy, nonporous, conductive fabric. However, as the gas expands and contracts with the normal heating and cooling cycles during the day, some hydrogen is lost. To maintain altitude, the pilot must then get rid of weight. So gas balloons carry expendable weight, referred to as “ballast,” usually in the form of water carried in jugs and sand carried in bags hung on the side of the basket.

Since ballast is essential for maneuvering and especially landing, there are essentially two “consumables” that affect the amount of time a gas balloon can stay aloft and – indirectly – the distance it can travel: gas and ballast. The pilots that do the best job of conserving both often are in the best position to win the race.

A View From Above

123

A crew of two: defending champions Wilhelm and Benjamin Eimers aloft during the Gordon Bennett . Photo courtesy Team Eimers

How do you fly a gas balloon?

To simplify a very complicated process: to go up you get rid of weight by dropping sand or water ballast (or anything else that has weight, if you’re desperate enough). To come down, you “valve” gas by pulling a rope in the basket that opens a panel in the top of the balloon to release hydrogen. Pilots can also take advantage of the natural expansion of gas due to solar heating after sunrise to go up, and the contraction of gas as the air cools around sunset to come down. Needless to say, pilots try to valve and ballast as little as possible, since gas and sand are the equivalent of fuel in a car and they can’t stop at the gas station to get any more!

Why are gas balloons usually white?

The highly reflective white color helps provide stability. The reflectivity lessens the impacts of solar heating and cooling on the gas inside the envelope, helping to minimize loss of gas throughout the flight and maximize flight time.

124

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

How big are the balloons?

The maximum size for balloons competing in the Gordon Bennett is 1,000 cubic meters (about 35,315 cu. ft.). Typical hot air balloons are two to three times larger. Smaller gas balloons can participate, but are at a disadvantage in a distance race.

How do they refuel?

They don’t. Once the balloon takes off, the pilots have at their disposal only the gas, ballast, instruments, and supplies (food, water, clothing, etc.) that they carry on board.

How far can they go?

It depends on the wind and weather. But the distance record for the Gordon Bennett is 3400.39 KM (2112.9 miles), set in 2005

by Bob Berben and Benôit Siméons of Belgium. They flew from Albuquerque to southern Quebec province, landing near Riviere do Loupe. The record for a gas balloon competition flight is 3670.76 km (2,275.9 miles), set by Nicolas Tièche and Laurent Sciboz of Switzerland during the 2017 America’s Challenge.

Barbara Fricke waves goodbye.

Note the ballast: bags containing sand hanging from the basket and the jug of water in Barbara’s hand.

She’ll pour some out if she needs a bit of extra lift as she launches.

How long can they stay up?

The world duration record for 1,000 cubic meter balloons is an astounding 92 hours 11 minutes, set by Germany’s Wilhelm Eimers and Bernd Landsmann in the 1995 Coupe Gordon Bennett. They flew from Wil, Switzerland to Ludzasraj, Latvia.

Do gas balloons have chase crews?

Yes, since as is the case with hot air balloons they rarely return to the launch point. The difference with a gas flight is that the balloon often travels many hundreds of miles. Gas balloon chases can be real adventures and require a lot of stamina and creativity. Pilots have on occasion had to retrieve their balloons with helicopters, watercraft, and even a moose hauler – a horse especially trained to pull heavy loads out of forested areas.

How many people are in the balloons?

Each balloon has a crew of two, a pilot and a co-pilot. Although the titles might suggest otherwise, in practice the pilots fully share the responsibilities of the flight and are often equally skilled.

Who are these people?

They are extraordinary ordinary people, with a spirit for adventure, the ability to endure the rigors of long-distance flight, and – often – a strong sense of poetry about the incredible beauty they see on their slow-motion journeys. In “real” life, they pursue (or did, before retirement) a variety of professions: businessmen, lawyers, doctors, professors, engineers, aviators. In general they are not thrill seekers, but rather detail-oriented, meticulous planners and carefully calculated risk-takers. While they are obviously highly competitive, they will tell you that the greatest rewards are the incredible journeys they take, the experiences they share, and the friends they make along the way.

LEFT: A long night aloft during Nicolas Tièche and Laurent Sciboz’s record-setting 2017 flight.

(Photo courtesy Laurent Sciboz)

A View From Above

125

Three Days of “Aerial Camping” Life Aloft in the Gordon Bennett

I

magine just for a moment that your living room, kitchen, office, bedroom, and bathroom are in a space the size of a small closet but with no walls or ceiling.

Then imagine you have to share this space with a roommate who is within a foot of you for hours and days, with no escape. And then, imagine that this space is suspended thousands of feet off the ground, constantly moving and exposed to the weather.

This gives you just a glimpse of what life is like for the teams who compete in the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett – aloft for days out in the open, brutally hot during the day and freezing cold at night, sleep-deprived, cramped, often at high altitudes which require them to wear a canula or face mask to breathe bottled oxygen, and, well, there’s this bathroom thing again.

The pilots’ “home” during the competition is an open basket or gondola suspended below a hydrogen balloon. There’s usually a narrow platform on which one of the pilots can catch a few hours’ sleep while the other keeps watch.

Their flight instruments – altimeter, rate of climb indicator, radios, trackers, and transponder -- are hung on the inside of the basket or from the load ring overhead that connects the basket to the balloon. Most of their other gear – sleeping bags, extra clothes, food – hangs in duffel bags on the outside of the basket.

A fair chunk of space is taken up by a huge, thick rope – the trail rope used for landing – coiled up in a big bag, and by the precious sand contained in bags hanging outside the basket.

The sand, referred to as ballast, is the equivalent of fuel, and is poured overboard to lighten the weight of the balloon and

126

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

make it go up. A cover to provide some relief from the weather and handling lines for the balloon hangs overhead.

For food, the pilots carry tinned or freeze-dried hikers’ meals, fresh fruit, beef jerky, energy bars, and their favorite snacks. Most pilots who fly long distance gas flights say they often have to force themselves to eat. Since they can’t move much in the basket’s confined space, they don’t have much of an appetite.

Drinking lots of fluids – water, electrolyte-replacement drinks, and other beverages – is very important to prevent dehydration, especially since the pilots often spend much of the flight at high altitudes that require oxygen. Jugs of water, for drinking and use as ballast (since water has weight), are usually stored inside the basket.

Privacy? Forget about it. The pilots, to a man or woman, will tell you that one of the biggest challenges, even bigger than flying the balloon, is simply being cooped up in this tiny space with another person for hours and days on end. It can be taxing even for those who are good friends and used to flying together. You can imagine what it’s like if the pilots for some reason aren’t getting along.

Oh yes, almost forgot the most frequently asked question.

The team has a bucket or other porta-potty-type conveyance to facilitate their “business”, and they try to keep that business to a minimum. The fact that they don’t eat much helps in this area.

Then, after hours and often days in the air, tired from remaining constantly alert, the team must summon their remaining mental and physical faculties for one of the flight’s most demanding and difficult phases – executing a safe landing.

Finally safe back in the loving arms of Mother Earth, they wait for their chase crew to help them secure the balloon, and head for a well-earned shower and a night’s sleep in a real bed.

So, this is fun? Well, yes, actually. Team members wax enthusiastically about the ever-changing view, as cities, farms, mountains, and rivers slowly pass below. At night, the stars dazzle overhead and coyotes howl below, breaking the silence and isolation. Regardless of their race result, the teams feel the satisfaction of meeting the challenge, using only the wind and their wits to go the distance. They leave the cares of our world behind to live in a world of their own. They share a bond with their fellow pilots that transcends competition and builds international friendships that last a lifetime.

What’s not to like?

TOP RIGHT: America the beautiful: the rewards of long distance balloon flight. Photo courtesy Cheri White ABOVE: Welcome to our living room! There’s room for Noah Forden, Bert Padelt (both wearing safety harnesses), and not much else. Noah wrote that, “living in an open, hand-woven wicker basket the size of a small broom closet with another man for a couple of days is not something I would have ever thought I would want to do.” (Photo courtesy Noah Forden) OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP PHOTO: Sandbags, gear, and the trail rope strapped to the outside of Barbara Fricke and Peter Cuneo’s gondola just before launch. Photo courtesy Ray Palmer OPPOSITE PAGE, BOTTOM PHOTO: On oxygen as is typical for much of the flight, the U.S’s Andy Cayton and Poland’s Krzysztof Zapart look like they’re having a great time, huh? Photo courtesy Andy Cayton

A View From Above

127

It’s Not a Spy Balloon!

I

t’s the second week of October, and you’re looking up into the sky. Way up there you see a white balloon.

You grab your binoculars, and you see a couple of antennas dangling beneath. Uh-oh, it’s got to be another one of those spy balloons, right?

Wrong.

In all probability, you’re seeing one of the balloons participating in the Coupe Gordon Bennett, the world gas balloon competition which launched in Albuquerque, NM. These balloons fly for two or three days, and carry two people we promise are not secret agents. The antennas and gear you see dangling from the basket are communications antennas for the team’s flight instruments and radios, as well as solar collectors to power their equipment. The teams are in touch with air traffic controllers, and federal aviation officials and law enforcement are well aware of who these folks are and what they are doing.

But how can you tell for sure that what you’re seeing is one of our good guys (or gals), and not something more sinister?

First, all of our balloons are being tracked in real time on the Gordon Bennett page on the Balloon Fiesta website. You can log onto the site at https://balloonfiesta.com/GordonBennett-2023 to see exactly where the balloons are and follow the competitors’ progress across the country. You’ll not only be able to tell whether there’s a balloon in your neighborhood, but also which balloon it is, who the pilots are, what country it comes from, and their speed, altitude, and direction of travel. You can also download the free YB tracking app on your computer and favorite mobile device, subscribe to the 2023 Gordon Bennett (also free), and have access to this information wherever you go.

The Gordon Bennett race Command Center monitors the balloons 24-7 and works with FAA traffic controllers and (when necessary) law enforcement to support the flight and retrieve the balloons once they land. You can call your local FAA office or police department with questions, and they can contact our Command Center.

So please don’t shoot! Instead, follow the Gordon Bennett online, and enjoy the adventure!

That white dot over the west Texas landscape isn’t a spy balloon! It’s Foxtrot Charlie, a gas balloon with Barbara Fricke and Peter Cuneo aboard, flying in the 2021 America’s Challenge. Their chase crew, Ray and Sue Palmer, took the photos in this article.

128

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

Women

in the Coupe Gordon Bennett

T

he first woman to fly in the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett was Mme. Gustave Goldschmidt, copilot to Renee Rumpelmayer of France. They finished 6th. It took nearly 80 years for an all-female team to make an appearance in the race: in 1984, the late Nikki Caplan flew to an 11th place finish with co-pilot Jane C. Buckless. And it took nearly 100 years – 98, to be specific – for a woman to be declared victorious in the world’s oldest air race.

That woman is American Carol Rymer Davis, who competed with Richard Abruzzo. They won the rain-lashed, frigid 2004 Gordon Bennett with a flight from Thionville in France across the North Sea to a landing in Sweden. It was only one of Davis’ many notable ballooning achievements. She also finished second in the 2000 Gordon Bennett and won two other major gas balloon distance races, the 1999 ReMax Challenge and the 2003 America’s Challenge. Her many honors include the US NAA Harmon Trophy, the Montgolfier Diploma, and the FAI Sabiha Gökcen medal, awarded for outstanding achievement by

a woman in any form of aviation. She also still holds the world altitude record for class AX-5 and AX-6 hot air balloons, and set several hot air balloon distance and duration records. Sadly, Davis and Abruzzo were killed in 2010 over the Adriatic Sea while flying in the Gordon Bennett.

The Gordon Bennett is still a mostly male preserve, but 26 women have competed in the race beginning with Ms. Goldschmidt’s flight in 1913. A few besides Davis have come close to winning. In 1999, Danielle Francoeur of Canada, flying with Leo Burman, finished second to Philipe de Cock and Ronny van Havere of Belgium. The U.S. Virgin Island’s Jackie Robertson (1993), Austria’s Silvia Wagner (1994), Americans Barbara Fricke (2008) and Cheri White (2009), and Germany’s Dr. Marion Lausch (2014) have finished third.

Four women are scheduled to fly in the 2023 Gordon Bennett: Fricke, White, Stefanie Liller of Austria, and Deborah Day Scholes of Great Britain.

A View From Above

129

The 2023

Heritage Award T

he Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® (AIBF) Heritage Award recognizes individuals who have made significant and long-time contributions to Balloon Fiesta through the preservation of AIBF corporate or event history, promotion, communication, or educational activities, or through other innovations that have been shown to help achieve AIBF’s mission statement. This year, the Balloon Fiesta recognizes long-time Balloon Fiesta official Chuck Raskob.

Chuck’s professional background is in radio communications: until his recent retirement he could be found climbing radio towers, on Sandia Crest in the winter! to do repairs. His involvement with Balloon Fiesta goes all the way back to the event’s beginnings in 1972, when he volunteered with the ACRA Emergency Net to provide radio support. He continued to work with ACRA through 1978, by which time he was hooked on ballooning and training to be a pilot. However, his expertise in radio communications continues to benefit Balloon Fiesta.

Chuck flew in the Balloon Fiesta from 1981 through 1997, taking a year off to serve as a launch director (Zebra) in 1987. In 1998 he stepped back from flying and became a

130

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

safety official, ultimately serving as Chief Safety Officer (2003-05), Assistant Balloonmeister (2006-2008) and Balloonmeister (200910). He still can be found on the field in his capacity as a safety officer.

For the past 23 years, Chuck has also been a volunteer official for the America’s Challenge Gas Balloon race and, in 2005, 2008, and 2023, the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett. His many contributions include issuing trackers that monitor the gas balloons’ in-flight positions, hydrogen safety and checking and repair of the field’s grounding grid, and assisting with the weigh-off and launch.

Chuck’s new passion and latest focus is the Balloon Fiesta’s newest event, the Fiesta de los Globitos. He has become event organizer Melissa Bond’s “right hand man” in running what is already one of the world’s largest showcases for radio-controlled balloons. When he’s not acting as an organizer of RC balloon events, you can probably find Chuck flying one. Learn more about RC balloons and the event on page 97.

We are delighted to recognize Chuck Raskob for his contributions to the success of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL

Balloon Fiesta

®

OFFICIAL PROGRAM

1000 Legion Place, Suite 725 | Orlando, FL 32801 CustomMedia.Golfweek.com 1000 Legion Place, Suite 725 | Orlando, FL 32801 The Ryder Cup official program is CustomMedia.Golfweek.com published by Golfweek Custom Media, a division of USA Today Sports Media The Albuquerque International Balloon The Ryder offi cial program is Fiesta® Group.

ForCup information on national official program is published

by Golfweek Custom published by Golfweek Custom Media, advertising opportunities, special event Media, a division of USA Today Sports Media a division of USA Today Sports Media magazine production ornational any of our Group.

For information on advertising Group.

For information on national other customspecial publishing opportunities, eventcapabilities, magazine production advertising opportunities, or special event please visit www. or any ofcall our407.563.7012 other custom publishing capabilities, magazine production or any of our please call 941-518-7351 or visit CustomMedia.Golfweek.com. other custom publishing capabilities, www.CustomMedia.Golfweek.com. please call 407.563.7012 or visit www.

Publisher/Creative Director CustomMedia.Golfweek.com.

Michael C. Hagmann Production Coordinator Publisher/Creative Director Gabi Weaver Michael C. Hagmann

RYDER CUP RYDER CUP

SEPTEMBER 2021 • WHISTLING STRAITS • KOHLER, WI

SEPTEMBER 2021 • WHISTLING STRAITS • KOHLER, WI

O C T O B E R 7-15 , 2 0 2 3 | A L B U Q U E R Q U E , N M

Official Program Officialof the Publisher Offi cial Program Program Publisher of the Ryder Cup Program Publisher of the Albuquerque International Ryder Cup Program Golfweek Custom Media is the nation’s leading Balloon Fiesta ® publisher of highly targeted event programs for golf’s most prestigious tournaments.

Fornation’s more information Golfweek Custom Media is the leading Golfweek Custom Media is the nation’s leading and to browse all of our digital editions, please us publisher highlytargeted targetedsouvenir event programs forvisit golf’s publisher ofof highly programs for our at www.custommedia.golfweekcom. most prestigious tournaments. nation’s most prestgious events. For more information information andtotobrowse browseallallofofour ourdigital digitaleditions, editions,please pleasevisit visit us us and atatwww.custommedia.golfweek.com. www.custommedia.golfweekcom.

Production Coordinator ADVERTISING Gabi Weaver Director of Sales Ted Mersch ADVERTISING 407-563-7045 Director of Sales TMersch@golfweek.com Ted Mersch Advertising Director 407-563-7045 Eric Smooke TMersch@golfweek.com 407-563-7010 Advertising Director ESmooke@golfweek.com Eric Smooke 407-563-7010 ESmooke@golfweek.com

USA Today Sports Media Group Chris Pirrone Nate Scott VP &Today General Manager USA Sports Media Group Senior Director

Patrick Leahy Chris Pirrone Michael Flanagan Publisher, Golfweek and VP of Revenue – VP & General Manager Sports Partnerships USA TODAY Golf LOCALiQ/Golfweek/USAToday Patrick Leahy Claire Collins Publisher, Golfweek and VP of Revenue – Senior Manager USA TODAY Golf

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

2023 Navigators John Abel Joyce Abel Wendy Abrams Nancy Abruzzo Lee Adams James Aguilar James Ahern Luz Ahumada-Abeyta Jean Allen Kirk Allen Elizabeth L Alongi Yolanda Alvarado Anthony Ambriz Sally Ambriz Jeff Anderson Kathy Anderson Linda Andrews Londa Andrews Stevan Andrews Benjamin Anello Clarissa Anello Sheryl Anello Vanessa Arballo Armando Arias Christina Arias John Arias Santiago Arias Maria Armijo Steve Arndt Jose Arredondo JR Luanne Arthur Amy Asper Mike Atchley Teresa Atchley Teresa Attridge Shemack Lorrie Auble Ana Baca Evalyn Back Elizabeth Bacoccini Kyle Bacoccini James W Bagley Dale Bailey Jacqueline Bailey Ray Bailey Carol Bair Denise Baker Andrea Balestri Joe Balestri Laina Balestri Lucian Balestri Joe Balistreri Harris Balkin Joseph Ballengee John Ballenthin Linda Ballenthin Victor Banta Douglas Barksdale Janet Barksdale Caitlyn Barnard Eva Barry Jacob Barry Jordan Barry William Barry Sara Bartholomew Sherri Batt Samantha Baxter Shannon Baxter Karen Bayard Debbie Beck James Beck John Beck Joanne Beecher

132

Richard Beecher Ruaidhri Belfry Crofton Amber Benavidez Talya Bengston Anne Bennett Laura Berger Dodie Bernal Audrey Best Paul Best Edward Betz Patricia Biddison Margaret Billson Marcia Birmingham Steven Bishop Charlene Bjorem Jeramy Bjorem Gayle Blackaby Deborah Blake Stephen Blea Dusty Blech Gay Blech Ruth Bleich David Bodette Susan Bodette Edward Bogdan Joan Bogdan Melissa Bond Charles Book Frank Bouchier Nance Bouchier Susie Bracamonte Fred Bradley Margaret Bradley Nicole Bradshaw Doreen Branch Zachary Brandon Cheryl Breeman Bill Brennan Jane Brennan John Brennan Kat Brennan Melissa Brennan Rita Brennan Cynthia Brittain Anna Brody Mary Broemel Thomas Brooks Dick Brown Karen Brown Melissa Brown Tina Brown Beverly Bruzek David Bruzek Belinda Bryant Anthony Budde Katelyn Budde Shannon Buehler Thomas Bueno Kathy Bules Mark Bullock Jeanette Bundy Robert Bundy Ann Burcham Susan Burnett Sarah Burney Elisa Bustamante Stanley Buxton James Byrd Carolyn Cabrales Nieto Marie Cairo Allison Caldwell

Breena Caldwell Kimberley Caldwell Trenten Caldwell Wanda Caldwell Wess Caldwell Janna Callison LaDena Campbell Celia Capron Alice Cardenas Ayla Caruso Dorreen Caruso Louie Caruso Ettaline Casanova Gretta Casanova Mary Casper Terry Casper Misael Castillo Steven Castillo Doyle Caton Noah Cavenee David Cavner Denise Cavner Joann Chambers Michael Chandler Glenna Chapman Shannon Chapman Shannon Chapman Aaron Chavez Chris Chavez Lawrence Chavez Maria Chavez Ralph Chavez Su Chen Gary Cherniak Martha Chinnock Ginger Chouinard Tom Christopher Lori Churchwell David Chyo Becky Ciaramitaro Michael Ciccarelli Roger Clark Cameron Clements Katherine Clements Marley Clements Pradelia Clemons Kevin Cloney Lucia Coca Steve Coffing Stephen Coleman Kathleen Colwell Robert Colwell Rachel Conine Barry Conley Kristi Conley Tamara Conley Linda Connor Don Constantine Pamela Cook Kenneth Coon Kirby Coon Matthew Cooper Sarah Cooper Rex Corbin Tina Cordova Barb Corio Bob Corio Gilda Cornejo Rosie Cortez Neida Courtney Bueno Elizabeth Cowan Robert Cowan

Cheryl Cox Linda Cramer Roxanne Cramer Paullette Craner Margie Creel Dianne Cress Bruce Criel Laura Criel Todd Criel Matthew Crocker Terri Crocker David Crossland Diana Cruz Alan Cuales Joseph Culley Taylor Currier Barbara Curry Visty Curry Brian Cutcher Dawn Cutcher Guy Dahms Fred Daily Kathleen Daniels Christine D’arco Jeffrey Davis Bill ‘Bo’ DeBlieux Karen DeBlieux Billy Deen Jr Sheri DeGroat dean denning Arminda DeRosa Deb Detorie Kyra Dewart Mike Dewart Judy Dewey Philip Dewey Jeff Dill Jeff Dillon Joan Dingmann Kristi Dirks Brennan Disher William Ditz Ethan Dixon Audrey Djuricich Wendy Donahoo Philip Doonan Victoria Dore Christine Dove Celina Dowling Marilyn Drake Robert Dubs Susan DUBS Duncan Dunavent Judy Dunham Suzy Dunnum Domenica Duran-Arias Ron Dyck Kenneth Easton Diana Edwards Michael Edwards Tami Edwards Patricia Edwards Witmer Stacy Eldridge Andee Ann Elkins Ralph Elkins Kimberly (Kim) Elliott-Snoeberger Donald Engdahl Jody Engelby Keith Erickson Liz Espinoza

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® 2023 Official Program

MaryLaine Espinoza Johnny Esquivel Linda Etzel Randal Etzel Linda Evans Adam Ewert Josephine Felder Timothy Felder Henry Guy Feltman Jr Kathy Fennell David Fenske Kimberly A Fincher-Lucky Jim Fischer Orele Fisher Lisa Fitzroy Marc Fitzroy Laura Flaherty Karen Fleetwood Alicia Fletcher Tiffany Flippen Kathy Flynn William Focke Peggy Foos Russell Foos Ethan Forbes Deztini Ford Pamela Foss Denise Foster Mark Foster Eugene Foxworthy Shelly Foxworthy Erin Foxx-Chavez Marcy Francis Paul Fredendall Sue Fredendall Kathleen Freebern Keith Freebern Kevin French Robert Fruth Lucas Fuentes Doug Fuller Henry Gabaldon Herman Gabaldon Regina Gaines Shari Galiardi Mark Galimberti Lydia Gallegos Stephen Gallegos Janice Galvan Mike Gamblin Polly Gamblin Stuart Garber Brianna Garcia Charles Garcia Connie Garcia Ernie Garcia evon garcia Kathy Garcia Lorraine Garcia Mary Lynn Garcia Mike Garcia Patricia Garcia Rosemary Garcia Sabrina Garcia Triston Garcia Michael Gardner Teri Gardner Christopher Garman Joni Gaulden William Geck Beate Gefeke Ruediger Gefeke

Darla Gensinger Larry Gensinger Cheryl Gerwin Paula Getz Veronica Gibbons Becky Gibson Darrla Giersch Denae Giersch Jadyen Giersch John Giersch Kendra Giersch Laura Gillespie Stan Gillespie Mike Gilligan Diana Gilson Jerry Gladish Steve Glass Elsa Glassman Janell Glenn MacKenzie Glenn Richard Glenn James Godfrey Rebecca Godfrey David Goesch Richard Gomez Bernice Gonzales Debbie Gonzales Miquelina Gonzales Ruben Gonzales Alfredo Gonzalez Dani Gonzalez Monica Gonzalez Nancy Gonzalez Harris Goodwin Kimberly Goodwin Donna Gordanier James Gordanier Thomas Gough Tony Gradillas Rodney Graham Theodore Gransbury Kay Grant Charlene Grasty Colleen Grathwol Paula Graves Carol Greeno Mark Greeno Rodney Griego Benjamin Griggs Patricia Grimes John Groothuizen Monique Groothuizen Ginger Grossetete Rodger Gruchot David Guerette Kari Guerette David Gunderson Kathleen Gunderson Michael Gutierrez Edward Haagsma Teresa Haagsma Brian Hall Deb Hall William Hall Anita Hallstrom Greg Hallstrom Katie Hallstrom Lori Hallstrom Nicole Hancock Terri Hanoumis Joan Hansen Scott Harden Caroline Hardison

Russell Hardison Erin Hardy Scott Hardy Selena Hardy Inez Harkness Amy Harris Candis Harsh Ronnie Harsh Zachary Harvey Steve Hathoot Trish Hathoot Bree Hawkins Taya Hawkins Deborah Haycraft Michelle Healy Sean Healy Kathy Heffron Calvin Heinly Mary Ellen Heinly Rita Helak Don Henderson Betty Hepburn John Hepburn Jr Charles Hernandez Lorrie Hernandez Amanda Hessler Andrew Hessler Brad Hessler Ronald Heyde Suzannah Heyde Catherine Hines Jacqueline Hockey Brenda Hodges Eric Hodges James Holley Nancy Holley Cliff Holman Cheryl Holwick D.L. Horton Nancy House Kimberly Houston Roy Houston Katherine Hower Andrew Hudak Maureen Hudak Jay Hudson Scott Hughes Cindy Hunt Bill Hurlbert David Hutchison Raymond Hyde Janice Hyder Jerry Hyder Alicia Irwin Brian Irwin Daniel Iverson Richard Iverson Harold Jackson Phyllis Jackson Jacqueline Jacobs Pete James Rebecca Jane Kathy Jansen Dalia Jaramillo Leon Jaramillo Ron Jardot Randy Jasman Connie Jefferson Kathryn Johnson Monica Jonard Alex Jonard II Raymond Jones Blake Jordan

Janet Jordan Janie Jordan Alejandro Juarros Lisa Juarros Larry Kaibetoney Judith Kaley Sandra Kamm Evan Kaneshige Gary Kaniho Clarissa Karasz Matthew Karasz Kayla Keating Phyllis Keene Kim Kelbe Carmel Kelley Mary Kathleen Kelley Georgia Kelly Katherine Kelly Sandra Kemp Lexi Kenis Tracy Kennedy Kristen Kerber Carl Kinnard Susan Kinnard Charlotte Kinney Jon Kirkwood Lyn Kirkwood Chris Kiser Diane Klenda Jaron Klock Joshua Klock Elizabeth Knight Carol Knowlton Jacquelin Kohlasch Marie Koreski Paul Koreski Brian Kralovec Elizabeth Krask Mary Krebs Andrew Kreuter Louise Kreuter Susan LaBarge David Ladd Chris LaFleur Sally Lam Wayne Lam Kathy Lamb Rachel Landavazo Scott Lang Jerry Langheim Linda Larson John Lawson Teri Lawson Andrew Layman Bet Lee Jon Lee Randy Lefevre Deborah Legg Maximilian Lehnig Shawn Leonard Helen Leshner Kathleen Levine Darcy Lewis John Lewis Nancy Lewis Esther Leyba Carolyn Lilley Ruth Lind Alice Lindsay Anna Linsky Deborah Lister Bruce Little Donna Lockridge

Thank you to the 1,100 + volunteers that help make this event possible!

Janet London Sigi Long Rhonda Loos Angel Lopez Cindy Lopez Cheryl Louviere Lonnie Louviere Phillip N Lovato Jr. Rae Love Bob Lucero Jack Lucero Penny Lucero Rachael Lujan Victoria Luke Brenda Lum Jay Luna Tammy Luna Roberta Luster Victor Luster Yvonne Lydick Mike Lyons Nadine Lyons Ted Maes Nels Magnuson Jerry Mailhiot Marianne Mailhiot Dawn Marciszewski Gary Marciszewski Scott Marciszewski Jan Marino Alice Martinez Candace Martinez Felisha Martinez Francisco Martinez Guadalupe Martinez Ivy Martinez Izela Martinez Lucy Martinez Michael Martinez Rose Martinez Victoria Martinez Ed Marynik Fran Marynik Tricia Mason Tara Mathena Dave Mathews Sibylle Maus Nancy Maxwell Steven May Lisa Mazzella Jeffrey McAfee Susan McAfee Phyllis McCain Quinta McCarthy Glenda McClung Shea McClung Kelly McClure Michelle McClure Twyla McComb Becca McConaghy Suzanne McConaghy Kyle McConahy Amy McConnell Mark McConnell James McConville Danny McCoy John McCoy Donald McCurdy Matthew McCurdy Diane McDermott Shelly McDermott Cat McGrath-Farmer Lourdes McKenna

Martha McKinney Lora McKown Michael Mclaughlin Kathleen McMichael Diane McNally Christina Meadows Barbara Medina Naomi Medina Paris Medina Loretta Medina Pineda Sarah Medrano Nay Meiseles Mercedes Mejia David Melgaard Jennifer Melvin Scott Melvin Ron Merrifield Lawrence Merry Monty Metz Cathy Meyer Richard Meyer Patricia Mezzancello Keri Michael Ty Michael Holly Mickelson Joe Mickelson Pam Micker Laura Miehls Carol Million Karen Minch Mairiene Miranda Mike Miranda Corinne Mirch Steve Mirch Diane Mock Larry Mock Tyler Modjeski Jeff Moeller Melodee Moeller Marta Moerch Thomas Mohr Yolanda Mohr Lia Moldovan Daniel Monaghan Jan Montana Jon Montana Ruben Montana Brenda Montelongo Cyndi Montoya Brenna Moore Donna Moot Jonathan Moralde Michael Moran Norma Moran Denise Morgan James Morgan Howard Morgenstern Judy Morgenstern Blair Morrison Karen Morton Jeanie Moughan Rudy Mui Gillian Mulder Glendora Mulder James Mulder John Mulder Mackenzie Mulder Matthew Mulder Beth Murphy Jonathan Murray Stephen Murray Alton (Rusty) Nail

Johnny Naranjo Marilee Nason Michael Neely Lesa Newberry Gloria Newsom Michael Newsom Kathy Nicolai René Niesner William Noe Karen Nordquist Patti Norris Elizabeth OBrien Dennis O’Connor Arnel Oczon Caitlin Odom Anna Olewine Brenda Olson Nancy Olson Wallace Olson Melissa Oranday Tamarra OrtizMartinez Wendy Ostrow Deborah Owen James Pack Linda Pack Brandi Padilla Chris Padilla Benjamin H Palmer Susan Palmer Denise Panozzo Katrina Panozzo Lawrence Panozzo Beverly Pantages Jay Pape Shaun Paques Winna Parks Lydia Parmenter Shilpa Patel Dale Pattyn Katrina Pattyn Sarah Pearson Aaron Peay Josh Peay Jill Peck Gloria Penner Diana Pepe Cyndy Peralta Manny Perea David Petersen Jane Petersen Sheila Petersen Wes Petersen Gary Peterson Cynthia Petrocelli James Phelan Teresa Phelan Nigel Philcox Katrin Phillips Ron Phillips Deanna Pientka Emily Pine Shannon Porter Peggy Powell Linda Prendergast Jessica Price Kelly Price Dee Pringle Rex Pringle John Ptacek Manuela Ptacek Linda Puettman Helen Putnam

William (Bill) Rager Ricardo Ramirez Sheila Ramirez Tina Ramponi Victor Ramponi Isack Rascon Chuck Raskob Amy Ratliff Sandra Rausch Tara Ravishankar Diana Rawson Peter Rawson Lisa Reasoner Deborah Reaume Joseph Rebarchik Cathy Reber Stephen Reber Jana Redding Terra Reed Elizabeth Reese Larry Reetz Tina Reeves Richard Reid Jeff Renegar Vickey Resner Edith Reyes Barbara Reynolds Kevin Reynolds Lynda Reynolds Shylor Reynolds John Rice Debra Richards Rebecca Richards Tom Richards Ursula Richards Luther Richardson Tricia Richmond David Rider Kathryn Rieg Summer Riggs André Rimac Jasmin Rimac Jürgen Rimac Karin Rimac Pam Ritchie Steve Ritchie Makayla Roberts Tara Roberts Carol Robertson Renee Robillard Becky Robinson Dorothy Rocha Randall Rockett Olivia Rodarte Victor Rodarte Alice Rodela Diana Rodela Rudy Rodela Elaine Roderick David Rodriguez Rosemarie Rodriguez Susan Rogers Lorie Roller Rachel Roller Lynn Romero Ray Romero Stephanie Romero Shelly Romig Kelly Rose Henry Rosenbaum Michael Rosman Christopher Rowan Vin Roybal

Stephanie Rudd Patricia Ann Rudy-Baese Sandra Runge Cathy Runyan Stasia Ruskie Dave Rypma Willy Rypma Cheryl Safcik Dolores Sala Kathleen Salamon Yvonne Salas Aaron Sanchez Alex Sanchez Amanda Sanchez Debbie Sanchez Jackie Sanchez Janet Sanchez Linda Sanchez Rebecca Sanchez Samantha Sanchez Virginia Sanchez Caitlan Sandberg Michelle Sandoval Michelle Sanford Eli Sanidad Jay Sanidad Jose Sanidad Mahaya Sanidad Norma Sanidad Maddie Santa Maria Krista Savage Bonnie Schacht Darrell Schacht Ann Schildhammer Jeanne Schroeder Thomas Schroeder Geneva Schult Daniel Schulz Jennifer Schurman Ruth Schwalier Betty Schweiker John Schwisow Lina Schwisow Jaquelyn Scroggie JoAnne Sears Saul Segura Judy Seigel Richard Sena Annette Seymour Brian Seymour John Shafto Adrienne Shaw Brian Shaw Jacob Shaw Bettyann Sheats John Shemack Jeri Shepard Max Shepherd William Sherlin Cindy Sherve Debbie Shields Thomas Shields David Shiver Russell Shoemaker Susan Shoemaker Ari Siegler Sue Siegler

Anna L Silva Barbara Silva Beverly Silva Eddie Silva Renay Silva Dawn Simmons Naomi Simmons Jim Sipple Keith Sjodin Valerie Sjodin Michele Skarlupka Charles Smith Dee Smith Judie Smith Karen Ann Smith Ken Smith Robert K Smith Chad Snitker Geanie Snitker Maxine Sobel Drusilla SoherrHadwiger Cheryll Sorensen Russ Sorensen Tom Spadafora JanaLee Sponberg Briseis St John Sharon St John Tray St John David Staelgraeve Gina Staelgraeve David Staggs Tabitha Stallworth Jayne Stember Richard Stember Chris Stengle Sharon Stengle Hal Stevens Richard Stidham Janette Stone Orbin Stone Paula Stout Kelly Stratton Angela Strong Nathan Strong John Stucker Susan Stucker Maya Suazo Lindsay Surdell Sarah Jean Sutherland Seth Sutherland Denise Suttle James Suttle Penny Suttle Robert Sweeny Nicole Tagart Catherine Talbert Greg Tanner Paul Tanouye Denise Tapia Alejandro Tarango Deborah Taylor Julie Taylor Kathleen Taylor Kathy Taylor Michael Taylor Valari Taylor

Debra Teague Edward Teigeler Brad Temeyer David Tennis Cilia Tercero Mike Thomas Molly Thomas Terri Thomas Patti Thomassen Linda Thompson Tracey Thompson Margo ThompsonMadore Michelle Thurik Lynn A Tillery Linda Timbreza Cindy Tolar Danny Tolar David Torres Richard Torres Rosemary Torres Michael Trahan Rebecca Traylor Ann Trompeter Therese Trujillo Carol Tulenko Roberta Tuley Sherry Tuohey Renee Turner Cliff Tvede Bill Tyler Lucille Valdez John Van Campen Susan Van Campen Christine Vandenberge Mark VanHaverbeke Mary VanHaverbeke Samantha Vazquez Vanessa Vazquez Kimberley Vesely Nancy Vigil-Cottrell Mary Ann Villarreal Laura Virgin StaceyJo Volna Tom Volna John Vonderheide Alan Vore Donna Vore Brian Wagner Michael Wagner Berta Wagstaff Karen Wallace Xavier Wallace Lawrence Wambold Barbara Wampler Clyde Wanatee Patrick Ward William Watson Tunell Watts marian weinmann Doreen Wells Melissa Wells Julie Welsh Caryn Welz Sharon WelzGarassino Jennifer Werner

Phil Werner Nancy Wertz Beckie Weston Erwin Weston DeLynnda Wetsel Marlynnda Wetsel Matthew Whiddon Doug Whitaker Patricia Whitaker Clayton White Mary Jo White Kimberly Whiteman Mark Wilkins Kathleen Williams Kerri Williams Terry Williams Joshua Willis Rachel Wills Daniel Wilson Harry Wilson Pamela Wilson Christie Wiltse Belinda Wimpy Halecia Wimpy Stephen Wimpy Karen Wine Denise Winn Dylan Winn Mark Winn Rachel Winn William Withers Donna Wolfe Shirley Woo Caroline Wood James Wood Buck Wormington Janice Wrhel Karen Wright Margaret (Peg) Yacisin Alex Yao Mark Yeager Braxton Young David Young Gerald Young Glenn Young Kern Young Vickie Young Wendy Young Brendan Zajac Jenifer Zamora Loretta Zamora Petra Zavakos Paul Zawkiewicz Jesse Zimmer Rachel Zimmer Angelynn Zimmerman Corey Zimmerman Sierra Zimmerman Michael Zink Nancy Zink L. Jane Zucosky

...And thousands of Chase Crew!

A View From Above

133

100 Years

Carlsbad Caverns National Park 1923 - 2023

CARLSB A D NEW MEXICO

destinationcarlsbad.com C H A M B E R

O F

C O M M E R C E

BUY TICKETS!

FULL SCHEDULE

OCTOBER 14

OCTOBER 21

SAN JOSÉ STATE

HAWAI'I

2

0

2

3

L

O

B

O

F

O

O

T

B

A

L

L

HOME OCTOBER GAMES

® a division of HTLF Bank

Local Bank. Strong Relationships.

For the moments that matter.

We’re celebrating 25 years of serving New Mexico.

Finding the right financial solution for you is what we do.

Building meaningful partnerships that enrich our lives and our local communities is who we are.

Together, we can soar! nmb-t.com HTLF Bank is MEMBER FDIC and

EQUAL HOUSING LENDER