ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — It’s been 15 years since the world’s elite gas balloon pilots have gathered in the United States for a race with roots that stretch back more than a century. Their ballooning résumé includes four wins in the America's Challenge long-distance gas balloon race, and third- and fourth-place finishes in previous Gordon Bennett competitions. Unlike the colorful hot air balloons that ascend en masse during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta by using heated ambient air, gas balloons have an envelope filled with a gas lighter than air — usually hydrogen. He recalled the Gordon Bennett competition that occurred after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The gas balloons were the only things in the sky as planes were still grounded.

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Persons: — It’s, Gordon Bennett, They're, Willi Eimers, Benjamin, Albuquerque balloonists Barbara Fricke, Peter Cuneo, Fricke, Cuneo, “ You've, ” Fricke, Mark Sullivan, Cheri White, Sullivan, White, Jacques Soukup, ” Sullivan, “, We’re, let’s, ” Organizations: U.S, FAI, Pilots Locations: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M, United States, New Mexico, Albuquerque, U.S, Canada, Belgium, West Texas, Belarus