FAI World Rank:
131
United States Rank:
21
Bruce WOOD - United States
Biography
National Champion. World competitor. Still flying with his wife Pam by his side. Bruce and Pam have operated a balloon ride business in Aspen, Colorado, USA for 30 years. In 2012 they began competition flying. In 2023, they added a whole new chapter, claiming the U.S. National Championship title in Longview, TX. In 2024 they represented the USA at the 2024 World Championships. When Bruce is not flying, he is teaching skiing at Aspen/Snowmass, CO where he has been a full-time instructor for 22 years.
Bruce and Pam have two adult children; Aimee, an author residing in England, and David, a game strategy hockey analyst working for the NHL Colorado Avalanche in Denver.
FAI World Championships and World Air Games
| Year | Event | Country | Location | Ranking | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25th FAI World Hot Air Balloon Championship 2024 |  Hungary | Szeged | 77 | 479 |
Competition History
| Year | Event | Country | Location | Ranking | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Field of Flight 2026 |  United States | Battle Creek, MI | 16 | 561 |
| 2026 | Michigan Challenge XLI | United States | Howell, MI | 3 | 910 |
| 2026 | 2026 Great Texas Balloon Race | United States | Longview | 14 | 709 |
| 2026 | Rio Grande Classic 2026 | United States | Rio Rancho, NM | 23 | 436 |
| 2025 | Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta | United States | Albuquerque, NM | 8 | 876 |
| 2025 | National Balloon Classic 2025 | United States | Indianola, Iowa | 22 | 649 |
| 2025 | Field of Flight | United States | Battle Creek, MI | 8 | 721 |
| 2025 | Michigan Challenge Balloonfest XL | United States | Howell, MI | 5 | 783 |
| 2025 | 2025 BFA US National Championship | United States | Longview, TX | 21 | 570 |
| 2025 | Cameron Hot Air Affair | United States | Cameron, MO | 12 | 628 |
| 2025 | Rio Grande Classic 2025 | United States | Rio Rancho, NM | 8 | 634 |
| 2025 | XXV Krosno IMBC, Polish Cup, Pre Worlds 2025 |  Poland | Krosno | 40 | 407 |
| 2025 | Emmentaler Ballontage 2025 |  Switzerland | Affoltern im Emmental | 4 | 543 |
| 2024 | Croatia Hot Air Balloon Open Championship - Prelog 2024 |  Croatia | Prelog | 6 | 635 |
| 2024 | Czech Balloon Trophy 2024 |  Czech Republic | Jindřichův Hradec | 10 | 583 |
| 2024 | 42. Open Austrian Dopgas National and Lower Austrian Hot Air Balloon Championship 2024 |  Austria | Wieselburg | 25 | 432 |
| 2024 | Battle Creek Field of Flight | United States | Battle Creek, MI | 8 | 718 |
| 2024 | 2024 BFA US National Championship | United States | Longview, Texas | 25 | 565 |
| 2024 | Rio Grande Classic | United States | Rio Rancho, NM | 6 | 781 |
| 2024 | 29th Open Styrian Regional Hot Air Balloon Championship 2024 | Austria | Bad Waltersdorf | 20 | 352 |
| 2023 | 2023 BFA US National Championship | United States | Longview, Texas | 1 | 815 |
| 2022 | 2022 US National Championship | United States | Scottsbluff, Nebraska | 29 | 411 |
| 2021 | 2021 US National Championship | United States | Scottsbluff, Nebraska | 17 | 644 |
| 2019 | 2019 US National Hot Air Balloon Championship | United States | Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska | 23 | 498 |