NATCHEZ — Unpredictable winds played a big role in the first day of competition at the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race.

The morning’s contest consisted of a beanbag drop on an enormous target behind the First Baptist Church.

The first balloonist’s attempt was more than 200 feet off the mark.

And no pilot in Saturday’s race hit the second target, which was just off U.S. 61, as a result of the winds.

Balloonmeister Bill Cunningham said a change in the winds pushed pilots off course and carried some much further than expected.

Cunningham said some pilots ended up 20 miles from their starting point and one even flew to Lake St. Mary.

In the evening race, winds blew balloons quickly down river and very few pilots were able to align with the barge.

Not one pilot was able to hit the target on the barge on Saturday evening.

“No one hit the barge,” Cunningham said. “So it’s like everyone’s a winner.”

Cunningham said brisk winds made it difficult for the pilots to line up their shots.

The wind was blowing so hard it was even a challenge for the tugboat pilot to keep the barge in one spot, Cunningham said.

“It was pretty tough out there,” he said.

But by Saturday evening one man had the coveted first place ranking.

Wynn Gustafson has competed in the Natchez race for 15 years and led the pack of pilots with 1,000 points at the end of the day.

“You have to play the winds,” he said. “Even when they’re not forecasted.”

But even Gustafson was blown off course by Saturday’s winds.

“It happens,” he said.

But no matter the direction of the wind people still lined the bluff in the evening and braved the morning nip just to watch the balloons sail by.

Behind First Baptist Church a seemingly unending flow of balloons ascended from behind the steeple.

It was beautiful.

And while Saturday’s contest was blown off course by the winds Cunningham’s hopeful for today’s competition.

“Hopefully we’ll have easterly winds to take us across the river,” he said.