Balloonists set to reap cash benefits of feat

Press, 22 August 1978, Page 9

Balloonists set to reap cash benefits of feat

NZPA London: i The three Americans who < made history’s first Atlantic I crossing by balloon spent 5 1 the week-end reaping the 1 first material benefits of' their feat — negotiating for i sales and publication rights s to their story’. Ben Abruzzo, aged 48, j Max Anderson, aged 44. and ;. Larry Newman, aged 31, all . of Albuquerque. New Mexi-j co, discussed offers for their, story of a six-day Atlantic balloon journey that suc-i 1 ceeded where 18 other crews • had failed, including an earl- ■ ier Abruzzo-Anderson attempt. j, They declined to name the competing parties until the s complicated contracts could I be completed and signed, a spokesman, Jim Mitchell, i said. I' For the first time at the week-end, the three balloon- 1 ists also were able to sit : down with their flight crews i for an informal debriefing — i discussing what went right and what could have beenji improved — possibly with, 1 an eve to the trip around i the world that the men say < is their next goal. h "We've all been terribly, busy. It's been a problem , trving to do any sight- ; seeing,” said Mr Mitchell. ’<

Saturday night was taken! up hosting a dinner to pay off a bet with two British! balloonists, Don Campbell! and Major Christopher; Davey, forced to ditch 190 km short of the French coast in their own crossing! attempt last month. Exchanging toasts and! jokes, the dinner was a long; and enjoyable shop-talk session that lasted until about! midnight. The team that accompanied the balloonists from! Albuquerque to the launch-; ing from Presque Isle,! Maine, to the triumphant! landing in France is splitting! up to go back to normal life,; said Mr Mitchell. But for the balloonists themselves and their wives 5 the glamour continues for a while longer. Today they head for France to accept an award from the Mayor of Evreux,! the small town where their; craft finally came to rest.' They then go on to Paris for! a reception at the United: States Embassy and to re-1 ceive the medal of the city; of Paris and the French Aeronautics Medal. They plan to return home on Friday or Saturday: aboard an Air France Con-i corde jetliner. J