Keen to keep celebrating international women’s sport? The 5th FAI Women’s World Hot Air Ballooning Championship will launch in Western Australia from September 2 to 9.
As teams begin arriving in Perth to begin preparations, three local hot air balloons fired up in Perth to create a warm welcome and mark the countdown to the Women’s Worlds, the first time it has been held outside of the Northern Hemisphere.
Northam is WA’s home of hot air ballooning and will host 30 pilots from 13 nations. It’s the largest number of balloons that have flown in a competition event in Western Australia.
This is the first Women’s World Championship held in 5 years. It was last held in Poland and the event scheduled for 2020 was cancelled due to COVID so there’s great excitement from teams representing Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, UK, and USA.
Five Australians will be flying high, including twice Women’s World Champion Nicola Scaife from NSW.
The Women’s World Championships present an opportunity to see Northam and Ballardong Nyoongar Boodja at its best with the sky full of colour as 30 balloons float majestically across the rolling hills over vivid canola fields.
The event kicks off with the Northam Festival of Ballooning and Opening Ceremony on Saturday 2 September with live music, balloon demos and international food. It’s free to attend and thousands of spectators are anticipated across the event week.
The 5th FIA Women’s World Hot Air Ballooning Championship is organised by Northam Ballooning Events and supported by Tourism WA, Shire of Northam, Bendigo Bank Northam Branch and Windward Ballooning, Australian Ballooning Federation and Northam Aero Club.
To find out more visit https://northamballooningevents.com/ or follow Northam Ballooning Events on Facebook.
Vision of balloons glowing with Optus Stadium and Perth city skyline available. Download here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/bx62ofjjp9dbhp5yvbxun/Perth-Balloon-Glow-3840x2160.mov?rlkey=eutsn66cyd939xr8z9zm2oi76&dl=0
Key Facts:
5th FAI Women’s World Hot Air Ballooning Championship
2 to 9 September 2023
Northam, Western Australia
30 pilots from 13 nations
5 Australian pilots including past dual World Champions Nicola Scaife
The first time it has been held outside of the Northern Hemisphere.
Contact details:
Janine Pittaway
0418911796