Sunday Morning 7/28 - 3 Tasks
The 2013 US National Championship ended Sunday morning with a three part task - FIN, MXDD, and FON. Light and Variable winds challenged pilots to find the right launch point. Many even packing up their balloon multiple times to move to a new launch site because winds would not stay stable long enough to inflate and launch.
The FIN and MXDD were set at the Longview airport and a few pilots were able to time the shifts correctly and get to the field for a score including Andy Petrehn winning Task 8 and Bob Gonzalez winning Task 9. The last task of the Championship was a FON scored by logger at a point declared by the pilot. Joe Zvada won this task with a perfect 0.0m score. At the top of the overall standings Paul Petrehn, Jeff Pestun, and Joe Zvada all missed the field targets and therefore opening the door for an attack by 4th place Rhett Heartsill and 5th place Pat Cannon. Heartsill and Cannon both got scores on Task 8, but they knew they would need scores on Task 9 to have a shot at the title. A MXDD requires a pilot to throw two markers in designated areas - the best result is the greatest distance between a pilot's two markers. Both Heartsill and Cannon barely got their first markers in the scoring area. Cannon's second toss landed short for a no result. Heartsill spent ten minutes over the field trying to work just a little closer. He wound his marker until it hummed through the air from the excessive force. Heartsill wound so hard that he ripped open an area of skin on his throwing hand. He let it fly. It sailed through the air - almost in slow motion - toward the distant scoring area. The baggie slowed and then fell toward the ground, landing in the grass just short of the scoring area..... a no result. Petrehn flew on to his FON earning a very impressive 1m result (despite some traffic) and held on to win his 3rd US National Championship! An impressive week of flying by a proven Champion. At an emotional awards ceremony Petrehn remembered his sister Cindy and all those lost in the ballooning family with a moment of silence before sharing the winning moment with family and friends. The top five was rounded out by Rhett Heartsill, Pat Cannon, Jeff Pestun, and Joe Zvada. Rookie of the year was claimed by 11th place finisher Trevor Blount - a feat Trevor's father Alan would certainly be proud of. Congrats Paul Petrehn - 2013 US National Champion!! |
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Friday Morning 7/26 - 3 Tasks
With rain roughly 100 miles to our Northwest Jim Birk called a 3 part task with brisk winds that would allow pilots to get up and down before any rain was forecasted to hit the area. As pilots prepared for the task a common theme was trying to stay ahead of any impending changes in weather conditions. As it turns out not much changed from the launch to landing but some variable winds on the surface (nothing new to Longview) made if quite a feat to pull off three solid scores.
The tasks for this morning were a Fly-in, Hesitation Waltz, Hesitation Waltz. Many of the pilots opted for the same three targets but there was enough steerage to hit all three if desired. After the dust settles there should be a considerable shake up in the standings as it seems that many pilots were either hot or cold. Scores should post pretty soon. Stay tuned for more updates with pictures and video. Last night featured the opening cermonies for the Great Texas Balloon Race and a nice dinner complimented a social where pilots, crews, sponsors, and organizers all enjoyed a good time together befo |
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Thursday Morning 7/25 - 4 tasks
Championship Director, Jim Birk, called four tasks this morning as a collective exhale came from all involved with the Championship finally getting airborne. The order of the tasks were Fly-In, Hesitation Waltz, Fly-On, and Land Run.
The wind direction was east to west, requiring pilots to find one of just a few take off spots in the town of Longview. Most pilots took off at a local middle school or nearby and it appeared to be a bit of a stand off as to who would be the first to get in the air. The Fly-In was located just behind the briefing center and this gravity drop saw some good results. The Hesitation Waltz saw even better results as pilots were allowed to throw the marker and it looks as if a dead center drop will be required to win the task. It should be interesting to see how good the results are. The third task, a fly-on, could have been declared at the briefing center, by ground crew, or on the baggie tail of the second task. This task was scored by GPS and declarations could be any point on the map within the distance requirements. Again, results were very good but it will be tough to sort this task as the GPS results will vary. The final task, a land run, required pilots to cross the 2700 gridline, heading from east to west, establishing point A (of your triangle) then fly 10 minutes and establish point B, before finally flying 15 minutes and establishing point C. These three points form a triangle and the triangle with the largest area will win the task. This afternoon features the opening ceremonies of the Great Texas Balloon Race as Fiesta pilots will be joining the fold for the remainder the event. Check back for scores which will be posted as they become available. |
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Wednesday in Longview
This morning's flight was also canceled for weather, this time rain threatened the area.
For entertainment today, the Great Texas Balloon Race staff hosted a golf outing planned for pilots and crews as well as a meet and greet in downtown Kilgore. Some pilots also went to movies and caught up on some sleep of their own. Thursday morning the forecast conditions look good but slow. We expect to still have three or more tasks as it looks to be steerable and everyone here is anxious to get the balloon flying started. |
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First flight Canceled
This morning the first flight of the US National Championship was cancelled for low ceilings and fast winds above the surface. Jim Birk and staff had a three task flight planned for pilots but with the weather just not cooperating we will have to wait until Wednesday morning for balloon flying.
Competitors did find out this morning who will make up the remainder of the jury. Jury president Gary Britton and jury member Gary King were already selected and the pilots chose the following to represent them in the case a protest is made.
Chase Donner, Paul Petrehn, Al Nels, Andy Baird and Sam Parks.
The release on the BFA website can be found here.
Tonight pilots and crews will head to Danville Farms where hosts Lloyd and Evelyn Bolding will provide food, drink and entertainment for everyone.
Posted today are the results of the poll we took over the last week and a video from Steve Lombardi. Joe Zvada looks like the guy to beet coming off of his win in Battle Creek.
Competitors did find out this morning who will make up the remainder of the jury. Jury president Gary Britton and jury member Gary King were already selected and the pilots chose the following to represent them in the case a protest is made.
Chase Donner, Paul Petrehn, Al Nels, Andy Baird and Sam Parks.
The release on the BFA website can be found here.
Tonight pilots and crews will head to Danville Farms where hosts Lloyd and Evelyn Bolding will provide food, drink and entertainment for everyone.
Posted today are the results of the poll we took over the last week and a video from Steve Lombardi. Joe Zvada looks like the guy to beet coming off of his win in Battle Creek.
The XLVII US National Championship
Next week we return to Longview, TX and for the US National Championship hosted by The Great Texas Balloon Race. Over the years this venue for hot air ballooning has hosted some of the most competitive events of the year.
Certainly pilots have been drawn by the high prize moneys offered and the guaranteed pole grab but when Good ole Texas hospitality makes pilots and crew feel like royalty - with great pilot packs, parties, and this year adding a golf outing mid week.
Event Director Jim Birk have been preparing for this years National Championships directing several other events and tweaking what could be as many as 25-30 tasks if the dry but HOT forecast plays out.
Pilots will be battling for the last spots remaining on the US Team for the 2014 World Championship in Brazil. You better believe that is important to them!
This week we plan to tweet task sheets here and provide pictures and videos as fast as we can to the website. Scores will also be made immediately available on the website as they are posted for the competitors to see. If you have pictures you want posted please send them to [email protected] with your name so we can properly give credit.
Certainly pilots have been drawn by the high prize moneys offered and the guaranteed pole grab but when Good ole Texas hospitality makes pilots and crew feel like royalty - with great pilot packs, parties, and this year adding a golf outing mid week.
Event Director Jim Birk have been preparing for this years National Championships directing several other events and tweaking what could be as many as 25-30 tasks if the dry but HOT forecast plays out.
Pilots will be battling for the last spots remaining on the US Team for the 2014 World Championship in Brazil. You better believe that is important to them!
This week we plan to tweet task sheets here and provide pictures and videos as fast as we can to the website. Scores will also be made immediately available on the website as they are posted for the competitors to see. If you have pictures you want posted please send them to [email protected] with your name so we can properly give credit.
June 13, 2013 Update from the BFA Website! (reposted with permission from www.bfa.net)
2013 Nationals Competitor List
The 2013 US National Championship pilot list has been finalized by the HACD. In all, 54 pilots will take to the Longview, TX skies July 23-28 in hopes of claiming the Piccard Memorial Trophy. The Great Texas Balloon Race and HACD look forward to welcoming all the participants to Texas with a practice flights scheduled on July 21 and 22. Plenty of detailed information will follow. In addition to a full field this year's National Championship will feature one of the largest prize purses in recent memory. $50,000 in prize money will be awarded in addition to a $5,000 key grab and $100 in spending money.
The 2013 US National Championship pilot list has been finalized by the HACD. In all, 54 pilots will take to the Longview, TX skies July 23-28 in hopes of claiming the Piccard Memorial Trophy. The Great Texas Balloon Race and HACD look forward to welcoming all the participants to Texas with a practice flights scheduled on July 21 and 22. Plenty of detailed information will follow. In addition to a full field this year's National Championship will feature one of the largest prize purses in recent memory. $50,000 in prize money will be awarded in addition to a $5,000 key grab and $100 in spending money.
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2013 US Nationals Competitors
1 - Donner, Chase 2 - Donner, Nick 3 - Petrehn, John 4 - Heartsill, Rhett 5 - Baker, Bill 6 - Zvada, Joe 7 - Petrehn, Paul 8 - Petrehn, Andrew 9 - Craig, Brad 10 - Heartsill, Joe 11 - Fenster, Matt 12 - Raya, Shawn 13 - Smart, Chris 14 - Owen, Brooke 15 - Isley, Todd 16 - Johnson, Mike 17 - Egerton, Drew 18 - Gonzales Jr, Robert 19 - Jones, Jason 20 - Miller, Gregory 21 - Nels, Andrew 22 - Smith, Roy 23 - Pestun, Jeff 24 - Parr, Richard 25 - Ashby, Rick 26 - Nels, Al 27 - Haynes, Gary 28 - Hoyle, Ken 29 - Cusick, James 30 - Menchhofer, Jeff 31 - Coan, Larry 32 - Bussey, Bruce 33 - Baird, Andy 34 - Sabin, Richard 35 - Roush, Tom 36 - Bussey, Bill 37 - Gibson, Kinnie 38 - Gauthier, Guy 39 - Stukas, Daniel 40 - Rosenbaum, Henry 41 - Wong, Dale 42 - Cannon, Pat 43 - Cliver, Harold 44 - Draughn, Ken 45 - Bloom, Cory 46 - Parks, Sam 47 - Stamats, Susan 48 - Blount, Trevor 49 - Lombardi, Steven 50 - Rubin, Jeremy 51 - Adler, Billy 52 - Ambeau, Robert 53 - Heavin, Gary 54 - Heavin, Brandon |
The prize money breakdown will be as follows:
1st Place: $7,500 2nd Place: $6,000 3rd Place: $4,000 4th Place: $3,000 5th Place: $2,000 6th Place: $1,700 7th Place: $1,500 8th Place: $1,200 9th Place: $1,000 10th Place: $900 11-14th: $750 each 15-20th: $600 each 21-30th $500 each 31-54th $400 each Ring-Over-the-Pole $5,000 Once again we want to thank the many organizers and sponsors who have and will help to make this event possible. See you in Longview! |
