When Anton Kerr took over the family hot air balloon business 10 years ago, representing his country was never in the picture.
A decade later, the pilot from Canowindra in central west NSW will be flying his boxing kangaroo balloon at the World Hot Air Balloon Championship in Slovenia.
More than 100 competitors from 34 countries will compete in the event from September 17 to 23.
Mr Kerr finished fourth in the Australia National Championship in 2019 to qualify for the world championship.
Mr Kerr said competing on the world stage for his country was never part of the plan when he started ballooning.
"I just did it because I loved flying the balloon, so I had no ambition of that [representing Australia] and no expectation I would," he said.
How does it work?
As a sport, competitors are required to navigate the balloon towards numerous targets and drop a marker as close as possible.
"At different altitudes above the ground, you have different wind directions, and you use those winds to navigate into the target and then drop your marker," Mr Kerr said.
Pilots aim to get as low as a metre off the ground to improve their accuracy. However, due to the changing directions of the wind, the balloons can easily be pushed off course.
Mr Kerr said this balancing act made for an exciting sport.
"For such a gentle, peaceful activity, the competitions are like being in a Formula One car.
"It is all happening with 100 balloons flying at the world champs. There are balloons tearing up beside you and then dropping in because everyone is trying to get to the same target."
Anton Kerr pilots the balloon by himself but is assisted by a team of two on the ground with navigation and landing.
The current world champion is Great Britain's Dominic Bareford, while Australian Nicola Scaife is hoping to win her third women's world championship.
America's Cup inspiration
In 1983, Australia defeated the United States in the America's Cup, ending the longest winning streak in sporting history and its 132-year dominance of the sailing series.
The skipper of Australia II, John Bertrand, created the iconic boxing kangaroo flag that accompanied the team during their historic win.
Mr Kerr wants to replicate their success.
"I remember watching that on the TV, and I was really inspired by the underdog from Australia taking it onto the world stage and actually winning when they weren't meant to," he said.
"I thought that is kind of like the boy from Canowindra. The boy from the bush. Let's take it to the world stage and show them what we have."
But Mr Kerr is not the first in the family to take up the sport. His mum, Jan, started flying hot air balloons in 1986 in Canowindra.
Ms Kerr said she was overjoyed to see the family tradition of ballooning continue.
"I think it is just wonderful for the area and for us," she said.
"I think for him, he has learnt so many new skills and is really enjoying life."
Ms Kerr is eagerly awaiting to see how her son fares in the tournament.
"If he gets in the top 30 out of 100, I will be really pleased," she said.
"If he gets in the top 10, I will be ecstatic. If he gets higher than that, you will hear it from me all over Australia.
"I am so excited and such a proud mum."
