Paul Gibbs and Maaike Bierma are in Canowindra gearing up for the challenge, which will see Mr Gibbs defend his national title.

The pair are among nearly 40 pilots taking to the skies as part of the week-long balloon spectacular, set to elevate Canowindra once more to the world's stage.

"The conditions in Canowindra are the best in NSW and probably some of the best in the country with the beautiful big wide valley and the friendly farmers," Mr Gibbs said.

"The Belubula River has the effect of a bowl so the weather in the lower thousand feet of air is just calm and gentle, so it's ideal conditions for flying."

"During the drought it was looking very dusty and dry but at the moment it just looks beautiful," Ms Bierma added.

There are several competitors Mr Gibbs is planning to keep an eye on this year, including one face locals will find familiar.

"Matt Scaife and Sean Kavanagh are hard to beat, Sean's a hot prospect," Mr Gibbs said.

"There are some dark horses here too, Steve Campbell is from Canowindra and he's been flying very impressively over the last 12 months.

"I think I've got my work cut out for me this year. I'd be very happy to finish somewhere in the top but it's anyone's game."

There are also several female pilots taking part in this year's competition, which Ms Bierma said is unusual but exciting.

"The competition does tend to be male-dominated. There are a lot of female balloon pilots but they tend to fly more socially, I think the competitiveness turns them off. Some of the girls that are flying this week though are very competitive," Ms Bierma said.

With so many accomplished pilots vying for the national title, Mr Gibbs and Ms Bierma are hoping the odds will be in their favour.

"The Canowindra Challenge Incorporated have done a really good job of getting all of these international pilots to come along , and I think the calibre of competition that they've organised is going to be truly world standard," Mr Gibbs said.

"They've got a really good Canadian director who'll keep the pilots engaged and the competition tight so excitement builds over the week."

The Canowindra Challenge takes off next Tuesday.

The Weekend Sunrise weather team will be broadcasting live from Canowindra the morning after the Cabonne Country Balloon Glow and Night Market.

For more information, head to canowindrachallenge.org.au.