The move to its next 1981launch site – the expansive Cutter Field, between Osuna Rd. and Los Angeles Blvd. (now Paseo del Norte) east of Edith many as 1,000 balloons. (It didn’t Rd. – opened up new possibilities for Balloon Fiesta. happen for another 19 years). The Nearly 500 balloons participated in the 1981 event, and site off ered the chance to thrill Sid Cutter, for one, was talking of someday hosting as guests with additional events, including the wing-walking (notably by 1981 balloonmeister Paul Enz) and aerial acrobatics of Jim Franklin’s Wild Waco Air Show. A fun run and radio- controlled aircraft were among many other events added, the biggest of which was the Balloon Fiesta’s fi rst gas balloon race. Unlike today’s America’s Challenge distance race, this race was about fl ying to a specifi c target downrange, much as in hot-air balloon competition. (See more about gas balloon events and traditions at Balloon Fiesta beginning on page 179.) Women have always played 1982an important role in the Balloon Fiesta; many of the Balloon Fiesta’s early leaders were female. And in 1982, Charlotte Kinney broke ground for women as the event’s fi rst female balloonmeister, the offi cial in charge of fl ight operations. (At the time, the Balloon Fiesta used the debatable term “balloonmeisterin” for its female balloonmeisters.) Charlotte had been fl ying balloons for several years before moving into the offi cials’ ranks, and was most likely one of the fi rst women anywhere in the world to serve as balloonmeister of a major balloon rally. Charlotte’s assistant balloonmeister was also female, longtime Albuquerque pilot Neida Courtney, who served as balloonmeister in 1983; Charlotte and Neida were co-balloonmeisters in 1984. Meanwhile, the Balloon Fiesta’s activities continued to grow, with skydivers (the Army Golden Knights), gas balloon race, ultralites, air shows, and more. OFFICIAL PROGRAM 119