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Some innovative events in
Albuquerque have focused on guest appeal, and several have become
permanent fixtures of Balloon Fiesta. One
of those fixtures is a gas balloon event. In 1981, gas balloons
were invited to participate. This invitation continued for the next
5 years. In 1993 the Balloon Fiesta hosted the 37th Coupe
Aeronautique Gordon Bennett (world’s most prestigious gas ballooning
event). The 8th World Gas Balloon Championship followed
the next year in 1994. The next year, Mark Sullivan, recipient of
the Montgolfier Diplome (one of ballooning’s highest honors)
founded the America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race. This marked
a new beginning for gas ballooning in the United States. This race
was modeled after the Gordon Bennett; the team flying the longest
distance wins. Unlike the Gordon Bennett the America’s Challenge
is open to all countries with no limit on the number of entries
per country.
With the cooperation and participation of members of the world's
best gas balloon teams, Mark Sullivan inaugurated the event during
the 1995 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Under a moonlit
sky, 13 teams representing 5 countries flew through the first night,
reporting spectacular views back to the race officials. By the second
night all had landed safely, with the American team of Richard Abruzzo
and David Melton claiming victory... a fitting conclusion to the
first international gas balloon race originated in America and last
gas balloon race established in the 20th century. In 1999, Balloon
Fiesta again hosted the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett. |
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