| 2009 Midfirst Ohio Balloon Challenge Winners Named |
| Monday, July 20, 2009 12:31:06 PM - Middletown Ohio |
Photo By: Randy Lewis
Submitted By: Ann Mort
Contact: Ann Mort, 513-649-4506, RMort@cinci.rr.com
Nick Donner, 502-802-9153
Nicholas Donner in his blue, green and silver NIKE balloon, from Fisherville, Kentucky, was named the 2009 MidFirst Ohio Challenge champion at the awards brunch held at the Manchester Inn and Conference Center in Middletown this morning.
Second place went to Dr Mark Frazer, a Middletown family physician and member of the MidFirst Ohio Challenge executive board,flying Release.
Third place went to Michael Emich from Akron, Ohio, flying Second Wind.
Thirty-six hot air balloon pilots entertained the crowds at the 7th annual MidFirst Ohio Challenge with tethered rides and balloon glows as many of them also flew competitive tasks to earn points toward their national ranking. The balloon points system is somewhat similar to the NASCAR system in that each pilot earns points at each competition with the goal to be among the 100 best in the country each year who earn spots in the national competition.
Nick Donner competed against 32 other pilots including his brother, Chase Donner from Indianapolis and father, Ray Donner from Fisherville.
Flying competition involves choosing a take off point to allow the pilot to maneuver the balloon via wind currents to a specific point to drop a weighted streamer with the pilot’s competition number on it. The goal is to drop the “Baggie” as near a specific target on the ground as possible. There are many variations on the basic competition task to add challenge to the pilots.
Former champions of the MidFirst Ohio Challenge are: Robert Mihaly of Lakewood, Ohio in 2008, Scott McClinton from Prospect, KY in 2007, James Wannemacher from Middletown in 2006,Rick Cusick of Lima in 2005, Ron Terranova from Fairfield in 2004.
While final attendance figures are not compiled as yet, it is estimated that the 2009 Challenge, with cooler than normal July temperatures and expanded parking and free shuttle service, increased attendance. Many food vendors reported record sales and/or completely sold out of their products.
The MidFirst Ohio Challenge committee is already looking toward the 2010 event. Details of the 2010 dates and details will be released in the next few weeks so spectators and pilots may plan to attend.
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