Saturday 11 February 2017

$6,500 PRIZE FOR 2017 KAVANAGH BALLOON KEY GRAB ANNOUNCE


Gun pilots will be jockeying for position to snatch a prize worth approximately $6,500 officially announced for the Kavanagh Balloon Grab at the Canowindra Balloon Challenge this year.

One of the Most Spectacular Events

The major piece of ballooning equipment will be up for grabs in what is arguably one of the most spectacular events in the program line-up which will run from April 18th to 25th.

In the competition, balloons launch from a site of their choosing (at a minimum distance away) as declared by the flight director according to wind conditions on the day.

The aim is to fly in and try to pluck a large key from the top of a flagpole. The key represents the major prize for the first one to get it.

Not to Be Missed


Spectators gather outside a safety exclusion zone around the flagpole to watch the fleet approach and cheer the pilots on. This is not part of the weekly point score but is a separate ‘not to be missed’ event.

Thursday 9 February 2017

INTERNATIONAL INTEREST MOUNTS FOR 2017 CANOWINDRA BALLOON CHALLENG

International interest in the Canowindra Balloon Challenge is running hot with plans for contestants and officials from all over the world being put in place for the eight-day event in April.

The event will be run in the school holidays from the 18th to 25th April this year with the skies set to come alive with the roar of burners when mass hot air balloons take flight in competition, joy and commercial flying.

More Than 10,000 Visitors Expected

During the Canowindra Balloon Challenge, the town receives more than 10 thousand visitors to see the balloons. The wide-open spaces, ideal weather conditions, friendly township and hot competition will this year see competitors and officials from the United States, France, and New Zealand gracing the skies.

Internationally Officiated Competition

The event will also be internationally officiated this year with the Director and Assistant Director of Competition coming from Canada for the Challenge.