LOOP News

11 JUL 07: WORLD AEROBATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

RIGHT TO THE WIRE
Spain's Ramon Alonso wins by just 16 points after nine days of competition

RAMON Alonso of Spain won the 2007 World Aerobatic Championships in Granada in front of his home crowd, flying a Russian Sukhoi Su-31.

After 21 years of competition flying, Airbus pilot Alonso now has both a European and a World title. But it was very close - just a 16 point margin out of a potential 10,000 points total between Alonso and second placed Renaud Ecalle of France who was flying a Cap 231.

It was a nail-biting finish to the nine-day event, with the result going right to the end of the final flight. Competitors had to wait until almost midnight for the final scores and places.

Mikhail Mamistov of Russia was in third place, flying a modified Su-26M3 variant with a more powerful engine and modified wings.

Svetlana Kapanina of Russia won the women's title for the sixth time also in the Sukhoi, with Kathel Boulanger (France) second and Elena Klimovich (Russia) third.

The winners had to hold their nerve and concentration through four very difficult Unlimited level sequences: the Qualifying Programme, the Free Programme and two Unknown Programmes.

The 'Unknowns' are composed from figures proposed by the competitors and have to be flown as a sequence without prior practice. The Unknowns test flying skill, mental agility and concentration and put all of the pilots under tremendous psychological and physical pressure. Medals are often won and lost during the second Unknown.

The home nation, Spain, fielded a strong team and secured the men's team silver medal, with France taking gold and Russia bronze. Two countries fought for the women's team medals, with Russia beating the USA to the gold.

Great Britain was represented by six pilots, supported by their trainer, Eric Vazeille, a former world champion. There were also a team manager, an engineer and the founder of the British Aerobatic Foundation, David Cowden.

Gerald Cooper and Mark Jefferies were placed in the top 10 pilots (8th and 9th respectively), with Tom Cassells 22nd, Nick Onn, 27th, Kester Scrope 43rd and Richard Gee 46th.

The strong performance of the British Team at WAC 2007 places them in a very good position to challenge for medals at the European Aerobatic Championships next year.

The 4-minute Freestyle competition showcases airshow style sequences and was won by Zach Heffley of the USA with a superb display of power aerobatics in a Sukhoi Su-26. It was a remarkable sequence that left onlookers and judges gasping and rightly deserved to win the gold medal. Mark Jefferies was placed 8th in the Freestyle event.

RESULTS
1 Ramón Alonso (ESP) 78.90%
2 Renaud Ecalle (FRA) 78.77%
3 Mikhail Mamistov (RUS) 76.88%
4 Svetlana Kapanina (RUS) 76.40%
5 Cástor Fantoba (ESP) 74.69%
6 Olivier Masurel (FRA) 74.59%
7 Michael Racy (USA) 73.87%
8 Gerald Cooper (GBR) 73.76%
9 Mark Jefferies (GBR) 73.60%
10 Kathel Boulanger (FRA) 73.47%
22 Tom Cassells (GBR) 65.43%
27 Nick Onn (GBR) 63.87%
43 Kester Scrope (GBR) 38.24%
46 Richard Gee (GBR) 36.79%

TEAM RESULTS
1 France 28135 pts
2 Spain 28066
3 Russia 27243
4 USA 27025
5 GBR 26598
6 Czech republic 19618

Full results: www.civaweb.mwebservices.net

WORDS Steve Green

PHOTOS Javier Guerrero/www.airteamimages.com

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11 JUL 07: WORLD AEROBATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS