Balloon race lifting off in New Mexico to pay tribute to 2 colleagues lost in Adriatic Sea

Balloonists in NM to pay tribute to 2 lost at sea

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The America’s Challenge gas balloon race in New Mexico will pay tribute to two balloonists who disappeared last week in the Adriatic Sea.

The deputy director of the race says pilots are being asked to hang two chile ristras, or strings of dried chiles, from their balloons, which are to lift off Wednesday evening from Albuquerque.

One ristra will pay tribute to Richard Abruzzo, of Albuquerque, while the other, with a pink ribbon, will honor Carol Rymer Davis, of Denver.

Race organizers also want pilots to release small white balloons before the race to honor Abruzzo and Rymer Davis.

The Italian coast guard on Monday called off the search for the pair.