Excitement rising as 'perfect conditions' launch the Canowindra Balloon Challenge

While the official competition doesn't kick off until tomorrow morning, Canowindra Challenge Chairman, Arthur Falconer said Monday’s conditions were ideal for practice runs.

“The conditions were excellent this morning, with a very light breeze,” he said.

“There was a good roll up- probably 20 plus balloons in the sky.”

Launching at around 6.30am from the Canowindra sports ground this morning, Mr Falconer said tomorrow’s start is shaping up to be another good one.

“We’re getting cool mornings which the balloons need,” he said.

While tomorrow’s take-off times have yet to be confirmed, Mr Falconer said anyone wanting to take in the sights early tomorrow morning can call 1300 908 825 or check the Canowindra Balloon Challenge to see when the balloons will be launched.

Mr Falconer said a new website, balloontrack.canowindra.org.au is also ideal for spectators.

“It’s a funny sport from a spectator’s point of view because it has huge spectator appeal but because it’s moving, often people don’t know how to follow it so this can also allow them to follow it from their own homes,” he said.

“We used it a couple of days last week for a trial and it was very promising. It shows the height, speed and distance travelled so it’s quite an exciting innovation.”

With balloons from all over the world set to grace Canowindra’s skies tomorrow, Mr Falconer promised it will be well worth setting the alarm clock for.

“There’s a lot of excitement among the balloonists and it’s going to be perfect tomorrow, just bloody perfect,” he said.