Mikhail Mamistov of Russia won the Final Free Programme (Programme 4) at the XXII. World Aerobatic Championships in Lakeland, Florida on the final day of the competition, the 4th of July. By winning first place, he also took home the Manfred Stroessenreuther Trophy, named after the famous German aerobatic champion.

Programme 4 results are not included in the official results of the WAC and it is flown as a separate trophy event. World Champion titles are awarded after Programme 3.

Credit is also due Victor Chmal of Russia who actually was awarded more points in Programme 4 than any other pilot. However, Chmal was entered in the WAC as an "independent" entry along with four other pilots from the USA. Independent pilots are scored but their results are not included in the official results of the competition. Thus, Chmal was not eligible for the FAI Medals in this flight or the Stroessenreuther Trophy. He is the 1996 World Aerobatic Champion but this year was not chosen for the Russian Team.

Robert Armstrong of the USA took home the FAI Silver Medal in the Men's Division in this flight followed in third by Ramon Alonso of Spain who won the FAI Bronze medal for his performance.

In the Women's Division, Debby Rihn-Harvey of the USA won the FAI Gold Medal followed by Svetlana Kapanina (RUS) in second place and Sylvie Breton (FRA) in third.

Links:
Programme 2 - 1st Unknown (GIF, 18K)
Programme 3 - 2nd Unknown (GIF, 18K)
Programme Q Results (PDF, 12K)
Programme 1 Results (PDF, 12K)
Programme 2 Results (PDF, 12K)
Programme 3 Results (PDF, 11K)
Overall Results (PDF, 13K)
Programme 4 Results (PDF, 8K)
Championship Photo Gallery

Sergey Rakhmanin of the Aerobatic Team of Russia has become the new Overall World Aerobatic Champion becoming the winner of the Aresti Cup, aerobatics' most prestigious award.

The Men's Team of Russia also surged to first place in the team competition as well, taking home the Nesterov Trophy. They were followed by France in second place and the USA in third.

Following Rakhmanin in the Men's Division results were Alexander Krotov (RUS) in second place and Robert Armstrong (USA) in third.

In the Women's Division, Svetlana Kapanina won the FAI Gold Medal and once again became the Women's World Aerobatic Champion --- repeating her victory in Burgos, Spain two years ago.

Links:
Programme 2 - 1st Unknown (GIF, 18K)
Programme 3 - 2nd Unknown (GIF, 18K)
Programme Q Results (PDF, 12K)
Programme 1 Results (PDF, 12K)
Programme 2 Results (PDF, 12K)
Programme 3 Results (PDF, 11K)
Overall Results (PDF, 13K)
Championship Photo Gallery

The first Unknown --- Programme 2 -- was concluded at the World Aerobatic Championships this afternoon with US Team pilot Robert Armstrong taking home the FAI Gold Medal for the programme. He was followed by Mikhail Mamistov of Russia in second place and Sergey Rakhmanin in third. Armstrong flies a modified CAP 231.

Flying began this afternoon in Programme 3. Only the top 50% of the competitors will fly the programme. The Jury agreed to cut the field in order to finish the flight since weather has been an ongoing problem at the Championships.

All but the top 10 pilots will be flown tonight with those remaining finishing tomorrow. Programme 4 --- the Four Minute Freestyle --- is scheduled for Friday, the 4th of July, with closing ceremonies and awards at Sea World in Orlando that evening.

Links:
Programme 2 - 1st Unknown (GIF, 18K)
Programme 3 - 2nd Unknown (GIF, 18K)
Programme Q Results (PDF, 12K)
Programme 1 Results (PDF, 12K)
Programme 2 Results (PDF, 12K)
Championship Photo Gallery

As of this writing, the World Aerobatic Championships is about to resume on Wednesday, 2nd July, with just five pilots remaining to fly the first Unknown (Programme 2).

Winds and weather precluded the completion of this flight programme last night as a thunderstorm hit the airport and winds varied outside of CIVA limits. The organisers hope to finish these five competitors by early afternoon and to begin flights in Programme 3 -- the second Unknown --- as soon as possible.

Results for Programmes 1 and 2 will be published shortly.

Links:
Programme 2 - 1st Unknown (GIF, 18K)
Programme 3 - 2nd Unknown (GIF, 18K)
Programme Q Results (PDF, 12K)
Programme 1 Results (PDF, 12K)
Championship Photo Gallery

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