Women’s National Balloon Championships Coming to Jackson to Celebrate Jubilee 40th Anniversary

Balloons inflate at Ella Sharp Park during the 2022 Hot Air Jubilee.  JTV Photo.

(December 31, 2022 4:31 PM) The Jackson Hot Air Jubilee announced it will host the 2023 US Women’s Hot Air Balloon National Championship competition in conjunction with the Balloon Federation of America Hot Air Competition Division.  The event will precede Hot Air Jubilee Weekend and run from July 16-21.

Fifteen of the best female pilots in the country will make their way to Jackson to compete for a chance to be crowned the 2023 National Champion and potentially represent Team USA in the Women’s World Hot Air Balloon Championships later in 2025.

Competitive ballooning tests pilots’ skills in distance, speed, and navigational precision. Each flight involves several competitive tasks, requiring pilots to use winds at different altitudes to steer their balloon to predetermined targets around Jackson.

Pilots qualify for the National Championship by flying in sanctioned competitions throughout the year.  Additionally, the top finishers at the National Championship will qualify for the next Women’s World Championship to be held in 2025.

“The Jackson community has supported the Hot Air Jubilee for 40 years. In honor of  our anniversary year, we are striving to bring 40 pilots to Jackson, one for each year of our history. The women who compete for the chance to be crowned the National Champion are highly decorated and outstanding pilots from all over the country. We look forward to hosting these remarkable women in our community,” said David Seekell, Chairman of the Hot Air Jubilee. 

Patty Cramer, Secretary of the Balloon Federation of America Hot Air Competition Division also adds “The Balloon Federation of America Hot Air Competition Division is excited to announce the selection of Jackson, Michigan and the Hot Air Jubilee as the host for the 2023-2025 Women’s National Hot Air Balloon Championships. The Hot Air Jubilee’s decades long history of hosting a high quality balloon event along with the fantastic group of board volunteers gives us complete confidence in the organization’s ability to host the Women’s National Championship. We look forward to this partnership with the Jackson community and look forward to sharing our unique sport while crowning our next National Champion.”

Competition flights for the Women’s National Championships will happen throughout Jackson County and will expand outside of the traditional footprint of the Hot Air Jubilee.