Events continued to evolve at Balloon 2004Fiesta as the decade continued. The New Mexico Challenge hot air balloon distance race ended and was replaced the next year by an additional competition fl ight, the Fiesta Challenge. Other new events, such as the Fiesta del Vino for wine connoisseurs, thrived. The Balloon Fiesta also added a Salute to Veterans in 2004, which over the years has evolved into a much larger opening ceremony honoring our country and also balloonists and others who have passed on. Recently, the ceremony has included a “candlestick” glow, where pilots turn on their burners and shoot 20-foot fl ames into the and pays fi tting tribute to our fellow balloonists and our sky, at the end of the National Anthem as the “Balloon military veterans. of the Day” takes the fl ag aloft. This salute often also includes a military or civilian aircraft fl yover of the fi eld, In 2004, Richard Abruzzo and Carol Rymer Davis won the Coupe 2005Aéronautique Gordon Bennett, the fi rst American team to do so in 12 years. Carol became the fi rst, and still the only, woman to ever win the race. Their victory gave Albuquerque the chance to host the Gordon Bennett in 2005. But near the east coast of Quebec this time, instead of cancelling the Balloon Fiesta’s and setting a Gordon Bennett America’s Challenge gas balloon race, it was decided distance record that still to hold both events stands. America’s Challenge together, with the victors Janet Folkes and Bill Gordon Bennett Arras landed in Ontario, competitors launching fl ying nearly 1,500 miles. fi rst, followed by the The other major America’s Challenge event of 2005 was the teams. opening of the Anderson The spectacular Abruzzo Albuquerque result was the largest International Balloon gas balloon competitive Museum, located just event ever held in North up the hill behind America. Twenty-six the south end of the teams – 14 competing launch fi eld. The in the Gordon Bennett museum, run by the and 12 in the America’s City of Albuquerque Challenge – took fl ight (not the Balloon Fiesta, as many in one of the most think) features the science, art, and history thrilling distance races of ballooning. Its large collection of artifacts include in history. The Gordon balloon gondolas used for record-setting fl ights, a Bennett champions, weather lab, interactive exhibits for children, and – this Bob Berben and Benoît year – special exhibits on the Balloon Fiesta’s 50 year Siméons of Belgium, history and Balloon Fiesta founder Sid Cutter. The fl ew 3,400.39 km Museum is open extended hours during the Balloon (2,113 miles), landing Fiesta. OFFICIAL PROGRAM 205