ID :
56240
Sun, 04/19/2009 - 15:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/56240
The shortlink copeid
Hannes Arch wins Red Bull air race in Abu Dhabi
Home favourite and defending world champion Hannes Arch got his title defence off to a stunning start by claiming first blood in the opening round of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
The Austrian, racing under the sponsorship of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), turned on the style in the four-man final recording the fastest time of the weekend - 1m:24.60s - to win the third race of his career by less than a second from last year's Abu Dhabi champion Paul Bonhomme of Great Britain (1m:25.49s).
Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, a thrilling final saw Frenchman Nicolas Ivanoff - the fastest qualifier - claim third place (1m:26.34s) with Briton Nigel Lamb in fourth (1m:26.63s).
Watched by an enthralled audience of more than 100,000 spectators, Arch saved his best run to last after an error in the pre-final Super 8s nearly saw him miss out on a place in the final. But with the very last run of an action-packed opening round, the 41 year-old Team Abu Dhabi pilot roared his 340HP Edge 540 aircraft on to the 6.8km course at a speed of 367kph before producing a flawless performance to prevent Bonhomme making it back-to-back wins in the UAE capital.
"The Abu Dhabi Red Bull Air Race continues to be an integral event in the emirate's major events portfolio and anyone who has watched the last days racing will understand why," added Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General, ADTA.
"The 2009 World Championship's expanded field and exciting new race format have provided the Abu Dhabi crowd with unbelievable aerial displays and unparalleled drama. Thousands of spectators, of all ages and nationalities, have lined the beaches and breakwater of Abu Dhabi city - from Heritage Village, Marina Mall and all along the public beach and Corniche - to take in this amazing spectacle.
"Logistically, the event has been a resounding success. Access to and from the event has been remarkable and the free shuttle buses have given as many people as possible the opportunity to enjoy the race. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Abu Dhabi next year and wish all the pilots and crews the best of luck for the remainder of the Championship."
The second round of the 2009 Red Bull Air Race World Championship will see the fifteen-man field take to the skies in San Diego, California on May 9-10 before heading to the Canadian city of Windsor, Hungarian capital Budapest and the Portuguese city of Porto before the championship comes to a climax in Barcelona in October.
The Austrian, racing under the sponsorship of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), turned on the style in the four-man final recording the fastest time of the weekend - 1m:24.60s - to win the third race of his career by less than a second from last year's Abu Dhabi champion Paul Bonhomme of Great Britain (1m:25.49s).
Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, a thrilling final saw Frenchman Nicolas Ivanoff - the fastest qualifier - claim third place (1m:26.34s) with Briton Nigel Lamb in fourth (1m:26.63s).
Watched by an enthralled audience of more than 100,000 spectators, Arch saved his best run to last after an error in the pre-final Super 8s nearly saw him miss out on a place in the final. But with the very last run of an action-packed opening round, the 41 year-old Team Abu Dhabi pilot roared his 340HP Edge 540 aircraft on to the 6.8km course at a speed of 367kph before producing a flawless performance to prevent Bonhomme making it back-to-back wins in the UAE capital.
"The Abu Dhabi Red Bull Air Race continues to be an integral event in the emirate's major events portfolio and anyone who has watched the last days racing will understand why," added Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General, ADTA.
"The 2009 World Championship's expanded field and exciting new race format have provided the Abu Dhabi crowd with unbelievable aerial displays and unparalleled drama. Thousands of spectators, of all ages and nationalities, have lined the beaches and breakwater of Abu Dhabi city - from Heritage Village, Marina Mall and all along the public beach and Corniche - to take in this amazing spectacle.
"Logistically, the event has been a resounding success. Access to and from the event has been remarkable and the free shuttle buses have given as many people as possible the opportunity to enjoy the race. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Abu Dhabi next year and wish all the pilots and crews the best of luck for the remainder of the Championship."
The second round of the 2009 Red Bull Air Race World Championship will see the fifteen-man field take to the skies in San Diego, California on May 9-10 before heading to the Canadian city of Windsor, Hungarian capital Budapest and the Portuguese city of Porto before the championship comes to a climax in Barcelona in October.
