The RE/MAX® Cup

Known globally for its hot air balloon logo, RE/MAX ventured into gas ballooning big-time with sponsorship of the 1999 RE/MAX Cup National Gas Balloon Race. The November event, held outside Denver, Colo., qualified three U. S. teams for berths in the 2000 Aeronautique Gordon Bennett in Belgium.

The 20 teams competing in the RE/MAX race were among the most accomplished balloonists in the world. Many were national and world champions or hold altitude, distance and duration records. Many had participated in round-the-world attempts.

The balloonists logged a total of 16,300 miles and 1,350 hours. Eight balloons traveled more than 1,400 miles each, making the RE/MAX Cup one of the longest distance races in U.S. qualifying history.

Pilot Richard Abruzzo and his co-pilot, Dr. Carol Rymer Davis, claimed the RE/MAX Cup with a 64-hour flight covering a distance of 1,783 miles. After crossing two-thirds of the continent, Abruzzo and Davis landed in Maine. A year later, the team placed second in the Gordon Bennett race.

Explore this site for background on gas ballooning, RE/MAX Cup photo gallery, balloon teams, race results, and more.