New Mexico Native Wins Helen to Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race

HELEN, Ga. — Weather may have delayed the start of the 43rd annual Helen to the Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race over the weekend, but it didn’t dampen the spirit of the pilots, their crews or the spectators who gathered along the banks of the Chattahoochee River.

Jonathan Wright, who traveled all the way from Albuquerque, New Mexico and didn’t get to take off until the day after the event was scheduled to start, was the race winner, followed by Cumming’s Daryl Tatum. The race was to have started on Thursday, but the wind was blowing in the wrong direction.

Before the race finally started on Friday, dozens of the brilliantly colored balloons took daring spectators aloft to give them an aerial view of the city of Helen. One launch even inspired a marriage proposal from a young man. She said yes, by the way.

South Carolina’s D.J. Stukas was the early leader in the race but Wright was not far behind.

“The city of Helen and White County are known worldwide for our race,” said Event Director Catherine, Cleiman, who was clearly pleased with the turnout.

“Anywhere around the country and around the globe that you go where there’s hot air ballooning they’re very familiar with Alpine Helen and the wonderful ballooning event that we have here.”