Two teams still flying in balloon race

ALBUQUERQUE, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Two teams were still in contention in the America's Challenge balloon race, organizers in New Mexico said Monday.

Team 3 -- Albuquerque's Barbara Fricke and Peter Cuneo -- were east of Chicago and had flown more than 1,000 miles since leaving Balloon Fiesta Park in the city early Saturday, the race command center told the Albuquerque Journal.

Team 7 -– Canadian ballooning champion Danielle Francoeur and rookie co-pilot Linda Ellis of San Jose, Calif. –- had been sailing along about 40 miles behind the leaders for much of the race.

Bert Padelt and Louis Vitanza (Team 4) landed safely Sunday night northwest of St. Louis. Cheri White and Mark Sullivan (Team 5) reported a safe landing near Iowa City, Iowa.