Since 1973, the best hot air balloon pilots in the United States have represented our country at the FAI Hot Air Balloon World Championship. The World Championship is held every two years with the 25th event held later this year in Szeged, Hungary.
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2024 TEAM USA Pilots
Latest News…
Joe Heartsill earns a Podium and
Team USA Earns Top Nation at 25th World Championship
Team USA battled tough weather conditions and 120 of the best hot air balloon pilots in the world at the 25th World Championship in Szeged, Hungary.
After five flights and 18 tasks, Joe Heartsill claimed third place overall and Team USA placed seven pilots in the top 25 to claim the Top Nation ranking ahead of France and Belgium.
Clement Seigeot of France won his first World Championship with Tomasz Filus of Poland in 2nd.
Team USA Finishes:
3rd - Joe Heartsill
4th - John Petrehn
7th - Joe Heartsill
15th - Nick Donner
17th - Lucas Heartsill
21st - Joe Zvada
24th - Jeremy Rubin
61st - Chase Donner
62nd - Cameron Wall
77th - Bruce Wood
Full results can be viewed on WatchMeFly.
JOe heartsill inducted to hall of fame
The National Balloon Museum Hall Of Fame inductions occur annually during the National Balloon Classic in Indianola, IA. This year, Team USA’s own Joe Heartsill was among those inducted. Joe’s stellar career as a competitive pilot include multiple National Championship wins, a World Championship, and multiple other global championships. Joe has qualified to represent the USA at 15 or the last 17 World Championships - an incredible mark of elite consistency.
Congrats Joe, Nancy, and the entire Heartsill family on this honor!
Nick donner wins the classic
Eight of the ten Team USA pilots traveled to Indianola, Iowa for the National Balloon Classic. A week of intense competition and good ole midwest flying drew everyone in for a last bit of practice before heading to Europe in a few weeks.
Rain, storms, and wind plagued the week, but eight tasks over three flights were completed. Nick Donner took the win with a strong week of flying. I is his third win in four years at the Classic!
Team USA Finishes:
1st - Nick Donner
3rd - Joe Zvada
7th - John Petrehn
9th - Joe Heartsill
16th - Jeremy Rubin
18th - Rhett Heartsill
19th - Chase Donner
49th - Bruce Wood
John Petrehn Wins Battle Creek Field of Flight
Team USA members Bruce Wood, Joe Heartsill, Joe Zvada, and John Petrehn were in the field at the 2024 Battle Creek Field of Flight competition. An event that many consider one of our ‘majors’ with its long history of hosting elite level competitions including multiple National and World Championships.
Championship Director, Phil Clinger’s commitment to calling quality tasks using the BLA provided Team USA pilots with great practice over the four days of competition.
After 14 tasks, John Petrehn flew his Ultramagic Racer to the top spot and claimed the Championship. Joe Zvada finished 2nd, Joe Heartsill in 7th, and Bruce Wood in 8th. Full results available on WMF.
JOE ZVADA - 2024 UNITED STATES NATIONAL CHAMPION
The US National Championship was held June 9th-16th by the Great Texas Balloon Race in Longview, Texas. Pilots flew six flights and 26 total tasks. Joe Zvada claimed his first National Championship by 289 points over second place Cory Bloom with Nick Donner finishing in third. Full results available on WMF.
Team USA finishes:
1st Joe Zvada
3rd Nick Donner
4th John Petrehn
5th Chase Donner
6th Cameron Wall
7th Rhett Heartsill
8th Lucas Heartsill
9th Jeremy Rubin
19th Joe Heartsill
25th Bruce Wood
Task 24 MDD - Joe Zvada
JOE HEARTSILL WINS THE RIO GRANDE CLASSIC
The Rio Grande Classic is an annual competition held over Memorial Day weekend in Rio Rancho, NM by the Top Gun balloon competition club.
The RGC is a long running event that embraces the latest in technology and task calling. Many top competitors choose to start their season at the RGC including this year’s winner Joe Heartsill! Full results available on WMF.
JOE ZVADA WINS STYRIAN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN AUSTRIA
The Austrian Competition Club held a regional championship in Bad Waltersdorf, Austria April 27th-30th. Team USA members Joe Zvada, Joe Heartsill, and Bruce Wood made the trip to get some early season practice.
Weather was superb allowing Event Director David Strassman to call 28 tasks over six flights - including a six part evening task that many pilots ranked as among their most challenging flights ever!
Joe Zvada claimed the championship with Peter Molnar of Hungary in second and Joe Heartsill in third. Full results available on WMF.
