Fri, Oct 01, 2010
America's Challenge Race Will Start As Scheduled Next Week
The U.S. government has authorized Navy assets to be used in the
ongoing search for balloonists Richard Abruzzo and Carol Rymer
Davis, who went missing during the Gordon Bennett gas balloon race
this week, according to multiple media sources. New Mexico Governor
Bill Richardson requested assistance from the U.S. State Department
in securing military assets in Italy and Albania to aid in the
search for the missing crew. Abruzzo and Davis were taking part in
the Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race when contact with their balloon
was lost over the Adriatic Sea.
Governor Richardson
“I’ve been following the search for Richard and
Carol all day and I’m optimistic that they will be located
soon,” Governor Richardson said. “I’ve been in
contact with the Abruzzo family and have offered any help they need
in getting Richard back home to them safely. My thoughts are also
with Carol’s family as they await word on their loved
one.”
Despite possibly losing one of its best-recognized teams,
organizers of the America's Challenge gas balloon race say the
event will start as scheduled during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
next week. Race organizers told television station KOB that it was
what Abruzzo and Rymer Davis would have wanted.
Because of the Gorden Bennett race, the start of the America's
Challenge was pushed back to mid-week to allow teams competing in
the earlier race time to get to Albuquerque. The launch date for
the America’s Challenge was moved from its traditional
Saturday evening slot to Tuesday, October 5. Weather
permitting, the launch is scheduled for 1830 local time.
The object of the America’s Challenge is to fly the
greatest distance from Albuquerque while competing within the event
rules. The balloonists often stay aloft more than two days
and must use the winds aloft and weather systems to their best
advantage to gain the greatest distance. Flights of more than
1,000 miles are not unusual, and the winners sometimes travel as
far as Canada and the East Coast.
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