McCook balloonist in third place

LAS VEGAS -- McCook gas balloonist John Kugler and crew mate Bert Padelt of Pennsylvania were near Las Vegas this morning in the America's Challenge gas balloon race, which lifted off Sunday evening at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.

This is Kugler's 10th year to participate in the event, in which gas balloonists from around the world compete to see who can fly the farthest.

Live tracking is available at http://bit.ly/1fqW7yr