October 6, 1999 Danielle Francoeur and her all woman team placed second in the America’s Challenge Gordon Bennett Air Race taking off in Albuquerque, New Mexico and landing in Goodman, Mississippi. In 1906. James Gordon Bennett started the long distance balloon race. The America’s challenge mimics the European version, testing the balloon which can fly the greatest distance from Albuquerque. Francoeur is participating in this year’s race as well. If weather cooperates the race is expected to start today.