January 2000
(ISSN 0887-6061) is
published monthly by Balloon Life
Magazine, Inc., 2336 47th Ave SW,
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MAGAZINE
January 2000
Editor-In-Chief
Publisher
Tom Hamilton
Contributing Editors
Ron Behrmann, George Denniston,
Greg Livadas, Mike Rose, Peter Stekel
Columnists
Don Piccard
Staff Photographer
Ron Behrmann
Cynthia Blair-Miller, Crystal Frame
Mike Galvin, WarrenHardaker
Barbara Herrick, Andrew Rafkind
Jim Trusty
2336 47th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 9811 6
Fax: 206-935-3326
e-mail: tom@balloonlife.com
Internet: http://balloonlife.com/
Phone: 206-935-3649
RecentlyafriendaskedmewhatplansIhadforNewYear’sEveonthenew
Millennium. My response was, I haven’t made any plans yet, that is still more than a year
away. But marketing madness being what it is that hasn’t stopped all the hype for theyear
2000 beingthenew millennium.
InballooningtheNewYearbeganwiththeMillennium Glowanda scheduled
Millennium Balloon EventattheSouthPole,whichdidnottakeplace,andtwo
announcedmillenniumballoonraces, theMillennium Challenge andtheMillennium
transAtlantic Balloon Race,Balloon Life knows that the newMillennium doesn’t really
start until next year.
Thatnotwithstanding,our SpecialReportthismonthlooksbackatthelastten
year’s. A look at some of the balloon events that shaped the 1990’s.
Ten year’s agoBalloon Life looked back at the 1980’s and provided some forecasts
for the decade ahead. A review of that prognosiscanbe found onpage 16. A look into
some crystal ballsfor the coming decade will be presented in the future.
60 balloonistsgathered inBoise, Idaho to countdown the last 60 seconds to 2000.
ScottSpencerorchestratedperhapsthemostspectacularballoonglow,overcoming
manylogisticalandweather problems.Theresultofthe effortgracesourcover this
month. As the clock rolled over midnight the picture wastaken witha new technology
for the new millennium by Andrew Rafkind. Rafkind was in a helicopter using a Nikon
D1, digital camera, shootingthe scene with an ASA film speed equivalent of 1600.
The new year brings more than a change in the first digit. KevinUliassi isbackin
the saddle to try to be the first to fly around-the-world solo. Steve Fossett is rumored to
be lookingat they same attemptinthe southernHemisphere this summer.
Manychallengesfacetheseintrepidballoonistsandotherwhohave interesting
balloon adventures plannedfor the new year.Balloon Life willthere tobringyou the
inside storyon these flights.
AsBalloon Life beginsits15yearwewishallofoursupportersahappyand
prosperous new year.
