Good reviews for the 41st Annual Air Race Classic

Tessa Roberts and Teresa Ortega from Wichita, Kansas and Jan Carpenter from Chicago

The teams of women pilots flying across the country have now departed Decorah for locations to the north and west.  The Decorah Airport will learn later this week if it has been named the Best Stop on the route.

About two-thirds of the race teams stayed overnight in Indianapolis instead of Decorah because of a system of thunderstorms Tuesday night.  But whether the teams landed in Decorah on Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning, they were enthusiastic about their reception.

A team of volunteers helped to land the airplanes and then get them refueled.  The pilots were able to take a break and get some food and stretch their legs.

One of the "Dakota Fly Girls," Ramona Banks, said she appreciates the help the racers get at every stop.  "We couldn't do this without the volunteers," she said.

Another team, consisting of Tessa Roberts and Teresa Ortega from Wichita, Kansas and Jan Carpenter from Chicago, also appreciated the chance to take a break.

In all, around 100 pilots and co-pilots stopped in Decorah as part of the 41st Annual Air Race Classic.