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The match for $100 000 in 'FAI Al Ain International Aerobatic Championship' 2009-06-09

January 24, 2008


The second match for $100 000  

In Al Ain International Airshow 2008, UAE, 24-27 January for the first time the 'FAI Al Ain International Aerobatic Championship' competition was held following the rules and programme of the Lithuanian pilot Jurgis Kairys. The prize fund of $100 000 kept the spectators and competitors interested.

'The last year Al Ain championship was very successful', says Jurgis Kairys. The new programme ensures a tense competition and impressive sights, that is why the participants, spectators and organizers were all satisfied.'

The championship was recognised by the International Aeronautical Federation's (FAI) Commity of Acrobatic Flying CIVA – the world commity of acrobatic sports approved the championship rules: 'JK Aerobatic Formula'. In the year of 2008 the competition was organised under the FAI flag. The new status ensured the champioship created by Jurgis Kairys the official international level.

The FAI Al Ain international championship of aerobatics is a part of an annual aviation show.  The most impressive aviation event in Arab countries had around 50 000 spectators.

8 world best acrobatic pilots were participating in the championship.  Ramon Alonso from Spain, the absolute winner of  FAI WAC (World Aerobatic Championship) in 2007. Svetlana Kapanina from Russia, 4 times overall women winner of FAI WAC, will be competing for the victory for the second time. One more woman went up in the air, a promising French pilot  Katel Boulanger; USA was represented by Micheal M. Racy. The UK's representative was Mark Jeffries, Hungary's – Zoltan Veres, Italy's- Francesko Furnobajo, Japan's – Yoshi Muroya.

The flight programme of the championship consists of two parts. The first part 'Aerobatic against Time' is the complex of acrobatic flying figures provided by the organisers; it will have to be performed not only without mistakes, but also in the shortest time possible. The second part 'Aerobatic Freestyle' is a free style three minute program during which an impressive sight is required and a demonstration of the pilot's qualities as well as plane's.  Timing is also vital, as the bias allowed is one second only.  Each flight starts and ends through the gates indicating the timing.  For the mistakes in figures as well as timing the penalty seconds will be ascribed.

After a tense competition Ramon Alonso showed the best time in two days contest flights and was announced the winner of   FAI Al Ain International Aerobatic Championship 2008. He received the prize of $50000.  Svetlana Kapanina from Russia took the second place; she was the winner of last year's Al Ain competition. Leader in the first performances she lost the first place only due to her mistake- she carried out five spins instead of four. Svetlana received  a prize of $30000.
One more woman claimed the third place ant the prize of $20000, the prospective French pilot Katel Boulanger who surprised everybody and proved she was better than other five male participants.
Other participants: Zoltan Veres (Hungary) – 4th place; Mark Jefferies (Great Britain) – 5th  place, Yoshi Muroya (Japan) – 6th place; Micheal M. Racy (USA) – 7th  place, Francesko Fornabaio (Italy) – 8th place.

The Al Ain International Airshow 2008 was managed and organized by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and his Highness sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan who is also a Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi  as well as Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces of UAE. Big help was provided by The UAE military air forces. The coordination was done by Mohammed Bin Barrak Al Dhaheri.




© Jurgis Kairys,
Tel.: +370 699 25 325, Fax.: +370 52 73 73 41, E-mail: kairys@zebra.lt