The Balloonist’s Prayer
The winds have welcomed you with softness.
The sun has blessed you with his warm hands.
You have flown so high and so well
that God joined you in laughter
and set you gently back into
the loving arms of Mother Earth.
The talented pilots at The Great Reno Balloon Race use wind currents and elevation to control the direction they travel. As pilots ascend or descend into a sea of wind currents that exist in the atmosphere, the balloon takes on different directions. Each morning, pilots are briefed about wind speeds and directions at various “ceilings” or elevation measurements. The pilots use this information along with the forecasted weather changes and the local terrain as navigational tools. Skill and consistency are the keys to a victory and a piece of the $11,000 prize purse. When it comes to “Balloon Racing” there is much more than meets the eye!
2012 Race Results
1-David Lynch
2-Robert Raper
3-Dana Thornton
4-Patrick Irwin
5-Andrew Petrehn
6-Jimmy Long
7-Pat Fouge
8-Del Michaud
9-Michael Bauwens
10-Douglas Campbell
Listed below are just a few of our most notable pilots:
Katie Griggs- Launch Commander for The Great Reno Balloon Race
Koh Murai – Launch Field Operations Consultant for The Great Reno Balloon Race
Daryl McKee – Pilot traveling the most miles to fly in the Balloon Race (New Zealand)
Mike Kijak- Has the only special handicap accessible accessible balloon basket in the U.S. with a clear panel so its passengers to enjoy the view.
Michael Glen- World’s first wheelchair hot-air balloon pilot
