The Aresti Cup

The Aresti Cup, donated by Col. Jose L. Aresti of Spain to the FAI in the 1960's, is presented to the World Aerobatic Champion. The trophy was first presented in 1964 to Tomas Castano of Spain. Not only the most prestigious award given in competition, the Aresti Cup is also truly a work of art --- created in silver with gold embellishments and featuring gold coins around its diameter symbolizing member nations of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. The trophy is topped with a golden globe which featured Col. Aresti's favorite aircraft, the Bücker Jungmeister, but which has now been lost to time. The names of past Champions are engraved around the base of the trophy.

World Aerobatic Champions since the first World Championships was held in 1960 include:

The Eric Müller Trophy

Another highly skilled, world competition pilot, Müller was also a pilot, a Delegate to CIVA, and an innovator. This trophy is presented to the Overall Winner of the Unknown Programmes at the World Aerobatic Championships. Eric Müller had won this flight at his last WAC in Red Deer, Canada, in 1988. He died just prior to the 1990 WAC which was held in his home country, Switzerland. The trophy was first presented in 1994.

The FAI Challenge Cup

This trophy is presented to the winning women's national team at the World Aerobatic Championships. It was donated by the USSR in 1988.

The Manfred Strössenreuther Trophy

This trophy is presented to the winner of the 4 Minute Free Programme at the World Aerobatic Championships and is named after the late German Aerobatic Champion. Strössenreuther --- a consistent medal winner at World and European Championships in the early 1980's --- was particularly skilled in this flight. The trophy was donated in his honor by the Deutscher Aero Club.

The Nesterov Trophy

The Nesterov Trophy is presented to the winning men's aerobatic team at the World Aerobatic Championships. The trophy is named after Petr N. Nesterov, a famous Russian aerobatic pilot. The USSR donated this trophy to the FAI in 1962.

The Royal Aero Club Trophy

The Royal Aero Club Trophy was donated by the United Kingdom in 1986. It is presented to the Women's World Aerobatic Champion. Though Women's Champions have been named since the first competitions were held, no special trophy existed prior to that date.

Winners of the trophy: