By Satya Rath/Al Ain (UAE)


Three days of hair-raising stunts, mesmerising aerobatics and daring flypasts later, it were the local heroes, Fursan Al Emarat, who cornered the grand champions’ honours of the Al Ain Air Championship, that concluded in this serene heritage city yesterday.
The Fursan Al Emarat team of the UAE Air Force is the national aerobatics demonstration team of the seven emirates. Formed in 2010, the team comprises of seven Italian-built Aermacchi MB-339NAT jet aircraft decked with the UAE’s national colours.
With this year’s event adding a new championship format where the fans’ votes carried 35% weightage with the rest 65% coming from the four-member judges’ panel, the Al Emarat team, ably guided by team leader Lt Col Nasser al-Obaidli, garnered the maximum score of 51.06 to win the grand champions’ trophy.
Bravo3 Repsol Aerobatic Team from Spain, the Day 2 leaders, came a close second, with a score of 51.05. They were followed by the Breitling Wingwalkers (50.21) and Richard Goodwin (47.80) in that order.
“Our aim was to do the nation proud as our team represents the hopes and aspirations of the UAE. Our focus was on making the combination right and stay as close to each other as we possibly could. Everything went perfect today, the co-ordination was great and so were our manoeuvres. Our hard work and practice has got us this reward. We couldn’t have been any happier. We dedicate this win to our country,” said al-Obaidli.
Awards were also given in four categories: Power, Grace, Pride and WOW Factor. The Bravo3 Team, who are the only Sukhoi-flying formation team in the world, were adjudged the winners in the Power category, while Goodwin was the WOW winner. The Grace category honours went to Glider FX Aerobatics Team from the UK, while Al Emarat were the Pride category winners.
The Breitling Wingwalkers team gave a spectacular and breathtaking display of acrobatic manoeuvres with their flying ballerinas and drew some of the biggest cheers from the nearly 30,000 strong crowd. “Winning the title is not the main thing for us, our aim is to win the hearts of the spectators, and we think we managed that. It was an amazing experience performing in Al Ain as the evening landscape, with the setting sun against the backdrop of the vast desert, just gives you goosebumps. We hope to be here next year again,” said wingwalker Sarah Tanner.
The event was held under the aegis of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority at the Al Ain airport. Breitling were the official time partner and prize sponsor of the championship, which was also supported by the UAE Air Force and the Abu Dhabi Airports Company.