Air games decalred success for future of air sports

 As the first Air Sports Live, incorporating the New Zealand Air Games, closed to the spectacular display by top aerobatics pilot Jurgis Kairys of Lithuania, organisers and competitors declared the event a huge success.


The two day event brought competitive air sports to the public’s attention as never before, concentrating 10 FAI air sports over one air space and broadcasting live over the internet on www.airsportslive.com. The event will also be seen by a potential TV audience of over 400 million people.


Wendy Smith, aerial co-ordinator and international skydiver, said the event was the start of a promising future for air sports. “It was a wonderful opportunity to display some of the best of the best activity we’re doing and take it to a more intense level for public viewing in the future.”


John McLean, president of Flying New Zealand said he hoped the games would inspire people to take up air sports and that audiences would continue to grow.


“We are delighted with the way the event has gone and hope that some of the amazing sportsmanship we’ve see here over the last two days will encourage people to become involved in the various sports, ensuring a positive future for air sports in general.”


From the 10 sports featured, 13 disciplines were competitive and two disciplines were demonstrations. Results from all sports are available below



Skydiving – Pylon Racing 1 Vincent Reffet (FRA)

2 Cathy Boutte (FRA)

3 Fabian Raidel (AUT)


Skydiving – Swoop 1 Vincent Reffet (FRA)

2 Jonathan Tagle (USA)

3 Malachi Templeton (NZE)


Hot Air Balloons 1 Chris Johnson (NZE)

2 Dean Ragg (NZE)

3 Dave Norris (NZE)


Paramotors 1 Mathieu Rouanet (FRA)

2 Laurent Salinas (FRA)

3 Dave Dennis (NZE)


Tiger Moth Le Mans 1 Ryan Southam (NZE)

2 Lochlan Falconer (NZE)

3 Peter Hendrix (NZE)


Helicopter Precision 1 Simon Spencer-Bower (NZE)

2 Andy Clayton (NZE)

3 Steve Combe (NZE)


Experimental Aircraft 1 Bob Gibson (NZE)

2 Kelvin Wright (NZE)

3 Giovanni Nustrini (NZE)


Speed Gliding 1 Chuck Berry (NZE)

2 Geraldo Bin (ARG)

3 Johnny Durant (AUS)


Model Aircraft 1 Jonathan Elliott (NZE)

2 Patrick Murray (NZE)


Gliding 1 Sebastian Kawa (POL)

2 Mark Holliday (SA)

3 Michael Sommer (GER)


Paragliding XC 1 Jeff Ripley (NZE)

2 Russell Read (NZE)

3 Gert van Maren (NZE)


Hang Gliding XC 1 Matt Barlow (NZE)

2 Johnny Durant (AUS)

3 Shane McKaul (NZE)


PG Acro 1 Antoine Mantant (FRA)

2 Felix Rodriguez (SPA)

3 Jonathan Barbe (FRA)


For further information, visit http://www.airsportslive.com .