Dubbed the Canowindra Challenge, the couple has issued an open invitation to balloonists across the country, including trainees, to take part in the six day event.

And not only will it be introducing a new generation of the Canowindra community to ballooning, but highlighting new technology to the industry.

“The theme will be to showcase some new “live to web” technologies like Global Positioning Satellite positioning and Live to web Video,” explained the couple.

“Whilst this is a bit radical for serious competition ballooning, we will be “trying out” some new state of the art balloon judging, which we believe has some very important implications for ballooning events in the future.”

There will be a Live 10 foot web screen in the main street of Canowindra beaming live video and GPS positions from the balloons.

“We will be encouraging all pilots to bring their i-phones and Google phones and will be setting some specific tasks for these pilots.”

The Canowindra Challenge aims to involve as much of the Canowindra community as possible and the couple are appealing for volunteers.

There will be an number of community based events during the week including a model hot air balloon building competition for school kids, a mid week dinner, Toms Waterhole Wines woodfired pizza will be available one night and a twilight local wine and food event in a local park on the last Saturday where the final ballooning awards will be presented.

For balloonists, the rewards are worth it, Graham and Jan said.

“There will be daily prizes of at least $500 in cash or in prizes and on some days up to $1000.

“Launch sites will be many and varied including some “remote” ones which will be selected on a daily basis according to prevailing weather.”

Adding to the attraction of prizes is a planned visit from a British documentary film crew, keen to interview as many Australian balloonists as possible.

The Canowindra Challenge will be held from April 5 to 11.

The event could be a preliminary for next year’s 2011 Australian national Titles, as Canowindra has submitted an expression of interest to host it.