Hundreds of spectators filled the perimeter of the launch field on Thursday morning to watch the start of the Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race. Despite the delay of the race, visitors were able to witness the preparation of the balloons and take tethered rides. The race is predicted to start in the morning on Friday, June 6.
To prepare for the race, teams members unload their envelope onto the ground and attach it to the pilot’s basket. Cold air is pumped into the envelope to spread out and protect the fabric before hot air is used to further inflate the balloon.
Take-off conditions for the balloon race are entirely based on weather conditions. Tarp Head, the balloonmeister for the race and founder of HEAD Balloons, Inc., explained that the winds were moving north to the National Forests, meaning take-off would not be possible that day.
“The first place to land would be Hiawassee, and [the wind] is moving so slowly, I don’t think we could get to Hiawassee,” Head explained. “We only have enough fuel for about 3 hours [of flight time].”
Catherine Cleiman, the race’s organizer and manager of the Helendorf River Inn, Suites & Conference Center, added that winds need to be flowing eastward for the race to begin. “The direction you fly in is a very small cone, so we’re waiting for those conditions to appear,” she said.
Head predicts the race will begin on June 6 at 7 a.m. In the meantime, he encouraged visitors to enjoy Helen from above by taking a tethered ride. These rides cost $20, and patrons are able to view the entire launch field from the basket.
The newest team in the field was lead by James Loiselle, a hot-air balloon enthusiast from Michigan. This year was Loiselle’s 5th year flying in the race and his 3rd year piloting his own balloon. He copiloted a balloon with his father, Mitch Loiselle, for his first two races.
“One of my favorite things about coming to events like this is getting to learn from the older pilots,” Loiselle said. “I spent a lot of time talking with them at dinner last night, and I’ll be going around with them today trying to learn as much as I can.”
Check out the
Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race Instagram page
for updates on the race.
