New Pilots earn their wings fro the Air race

Five young and very talented pilots from around the world who successfully completed a week of rigorous training and testing at the red bull air race qualification camp in Spain were awarded the coveted ‘super licence’ this weekend, the essential document needed for entry into the race.

Australia’s Matt Hall (37) Canada’s Pete mcleod (24) France’s Francois le Vot (38), Germany’s Matthias Dolderer (38) and Japan’s Yoshihde muroya (35) all passed the tests with flying colours and were delighted to take home with them their newly acquired ‘licence to fly’ it will be decided at a later date if any or how many rookies from the crop of pilots will get the chance to complete in the 2009 red bull air race world championship.

The super licence is no guarantee that they will compete in next year’s world championship but it is a foot in the door. By getting the super licence they are on standby and have to be ‘race ready’ within two weeks if required.

The pilots, who have been preparing for the camp for the last year, had to demonstrate to the judges that they not only have ‘the right stuff’ in the air- the skill to handle the low level aerial track and negotiate the airgates – but that they can also deal with all the rigours of being a full-time red bull air race pilot competing in the global championship. It was indeed often impressive watching as they confidently navigated through the 20 metre high air gates with style and skill even though for most it was their first time in a race track.

Twitch takes the LG world championships of FMX

This weekend, for the sixth straight year, the LG world championships of FMX decended upon the LA country Fairgrounds in Pomona. The event brought together the best freestyle Motocross riders in the world on the championships best course to date, and brought along some great music in the form of filter to the Maxell music stage.

The whole event kicked off with a set from filter to build the energy up. The first round of competitions featured six battles with two riding. From there a semi-final of three hearts took place, followed by a final round with three riders battling it out, for the title.

Up till 2008 the only rider to hold an LG world championship of FMX title was Nate Adams, but last year Jeremy “twitch” Stenberg stopped Nate’s streak in its tracks, and took home his first title. The hopes of a Nate Adams vs Jeremy Stenberg stopped rematch were crushed with Nate Adams out injured, Nate Admas surely would wasn’t a shoe-in for victory. The event had a whole host of big names like Robbie Maddison, Mike Mason, and Beau Bamburg along with some newcomers like Australia’s Cameron Sinclair all had a solid chance at the LG FMX title.

Within this event going head to head you need to have consistency, a rider who puts together a great run from time to time, could easily win one round on to be eliminated from the get-go. The rider who comes out on top must throw down three great runs in the end… the sign of a true champion, and if two riders in the same bracket throw down great runs, one of them has to go home. This was the case for Cam Sinclair, and Jeremy Lusk… both ended their days early despite some great performances.

While all the riders bought their fair share of big tricks to Pomona, the final round came down to Adam Jones, Beau Bamburg, and Jeremy Stenberg who went down hard at this event last year, and no doubt had the weight of that crash on his shoulders, they were both recovering from recent injuries, but from the looks of the riding thrown down by three riders on course, they were able to put the pain aside and focus on their riding. In the end Jeremy Stenberg’s use of the dirt hits, and three back to back flip variations prevailed. Beau Bamburg took a close second, and Adams Jones went home with third place.

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Fat Face night ride hits Scarborough

This years fat face night ride is being held in Scarborough on Saturday the 4th of October, 300 –plus national and international riders who will battle it out against the epic backdrop of Scarborough castle, as they race a fast and furious course towards the sea front, avoiding the man made obstacles the whole way down.

The night ride is the final instalment in the Fat Face Night series, which also features skiing, sailing, surfing, wakeboarding, mountain boarding and windsurfing across the UK the whole summer.
Last year the night ride in Edinburgh became a massive success, with the title and fastest time of the day going to Gee Atherton in 47:62 seconds, who beat 300 other eager riders down the Edinburgh course, in front of over 6000 spectators!

The event manager Ian Williams, echoed these statements “the buzz around the event was huge last year and this year in no exception. The night ride poses a massive challenge for the riders who not only have to get down a tight course, fast, but at night which brings its own complications.

Scarborough locals are encouraged to go and watch the event, which offers excellent spectator viewing and is free for everyone to come along and watch, although if you’re watching from the castle it’ll be the standard entrance fee of £4.

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Ex military pilot has flown across the English Channel using only a single jet-propelled wing.

The military pilot has become the first person to fly solo across the English Channel using a single jet-propelled wing. Yves Rossy has landed safely after the 22 mile (35.4 km) flight from Calais to Dover, which had been twice postponed this week due to bad weather throughout the last week, he completed the flight of Friday.
The whole experiences took less than 10 minutes to complete the crossing from powering off and parachuting to the ground.
Yves Rossy started by flying a plane to more than 8,200ft (2,500m), ignited his jets on the wing on his back, and jumped out.

Yves Rosst had hopped to reach speeds of 125mph. he has been quoted saying “It felt great, and he would like to thank all the people who did it with him” With his nickname the “Fusionman” hw was aiming to following the route taken by the French airman Louis Bleriot 99 years ago when he became the first person to fly across the English channel in a plane.

In dover, Mr yves Rpssy flew past South Foreland lighthouse, which the building’s manager Simon Ovenden said Yves Rossy used it as a target during his pioneering flight – and looped onlookers before landing in a field.

Mark Dale, the senior technical officers for the British hang Gliding and paragliding Association, described Yves Rossy’s flight as a “fabulous stunt” in an earlier interview this week.

The wing had no rudder or tail fin, so Yves rosy had to steer it using his head and back.
As well as helmet and parachute, he wore a special suit to protect him from the four kerosene-burning turbines mounted just centimetres from him on the wing.

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Blair Morgan paralysed after a MotoX Accident.

Blair Morgan s one of the most celebrated snow cross riders in the history of the sport, has been paralysed after a motocross accident.

Blair Morgan also competed professionally in motocross event last Saturday when he crashed, severing his spine in the process.

Blair Morgan family officially announced his condition on Morgan’s website. At the moment he’s out of Intensive Care and is eating, but the family is releasing little other infomrations.

The 32 year old started racing motocycles in the late 80s and turned pro in early 1990. Blair has also won three national motocross titles before beginning to complete in snow cross, by the end of the decade Blair Morgan had captured five winter x games gold medals in the sport and won dozens of contests.

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Pilot postpones his jetpack adventure

A Swiss former military pilot attempted to become the first person to fly solo across the English channel using a single jet-propelled wing, this had to be delayed yesterday. Yves Rossy attempted at the 22 mile (35.4km) flight from Calais to Dover, this flight had to be postponed due to bad weather.

Yves the ex military pilot plans to make the flight across the channel to 12 minutes, he will fly on a plane to more than 8,200ft (2,500m) ignites his jet on a wing, on his back and amazingly jumps out.

Yvess Rossy, has had to prostpone another pervious attempt due to bad weather conditions, he had hoped to reach speeds of 125mph.

He has been nicknamed ‘Fusionman’ as he aims to follow the path which was once taken by a French airman Louis Bleriot 99 years ago when he become the first person to fly across the channel in a plane.

He has been quoted saying ‘if I calculated everything right, I will land in Dover, but if I haven’t I will take a bath’. This stunt will be broadcasted live for the National Geographic Channel.

The longest flight in which Yvess Rossy has taken has lasted 10 mintues, he is not worried about the doing this exhilarating stunt as he has been quoted saying @i’m not worried about risk, I mange risk’ as he has flowed Swiss army fighters, and now he flies an Airbus , he believes if he wont make the crossing he will not take the chance.

The wing has no rudder of tail fin, he will have to steer by using his head and back. He will have a helmet and parachute, he will wear a special suit which will protect him from the four Kerosene- burning turbines just centimetres from him on the wing.

I wish he all the best of luck, and hopes he will make it across without taking a bath in the English Channel.

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Adrian Buchan beats Kelly Slater to take Quicksilver pro France

Adrian Buchan has beaten eight-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater to win his first ever ASP world tour event- the Quicksilver pro France, held in Hossegor France yesterday.

Adrian Buchan beat Kelly Slater 15.73 to 15.16 in a tight heat held at Les Bourdaines Yesterday afternoon. The Final berth was the first of Buchan’s ASP world tour career, prior to winning the Quicksilver Pro France, Adrian Buchan he had never advanced from the quarterfinal round.

Adrian Buchan is speechless, after beat Kelly Slater in the final held yesterday, Kelly Slater is Adrian’s hero, he has watched him win 5 events this year, he goes on to say he has been phenomenal this year.

Had the tables turn and Kelly Slater beat Adrian Buchan would have won his 9th ASP World title. Adrian led the heat fro most of the 35 minute adventure with Kelly Slater needing a very attainable 7.51 to change the situation. The eight – time ASP world Champion caught a wave with seconds to go but came up short.

Adrian has been on tour for three years, spent the first half of his rookie year injured. He earn an injury wildcard to compete on the tour in 2007 and finished the year rated 19th. He jumps to world No.9 with this result.

Kelly Slater dug deep in an effort to win his sixth event of the season, willing a last minute wave pop up in the dying seconds. Despite needing a relatively small score, he was unable to pull out the last minute comeback he’s renowned for.

The final literality came down to the waves that were dealt out to each competitor, with Kelly Slater only earned a 2.23 on the wave he caught with three seconds left, he will now have to wait until the next event in Mundaka to have another chance to clinch.

This is all down on Kelly Slater’s shoulders as he has to finish 9th or better in Mundaka he will win the world title, if he bows out with 17th or 23rd and Mick fanning (AUS) or Taj Burrow (AUS) win the event, the race continues until Brazil.

Kelly Slater beat Adriano de Souza (BRA) in the semi finals yesterday, De Souza and Kelly Slater have now met eight times, with Kelly Slater getting the best of the Brazilian each time. Adriano De Souza moves to world No.4 with the result.

Adrian Buchan beat Damien Hodgood (USA) in the semi finals en route to his maiden victory.

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The rise and rise of the Red bull Rookies

Red bull air race pilot Hannes Arch and Formula one driver Sebastian Vettel has a few things in common. They have both shaken up the hierarchy in their respective motor sports in only second seasons, they both speak German and they are both Red Bull athletes.

Hannes Arch, who celebrates his 41st birthday today, he won the first formula one race of his carrer at the Italian team. At just 21 Vettel has become the youngest winner in formula on history and is now 9th in the championship with 23 points while Toro Rosso is in 6th. Vettel joined the Red Bull junior team at age 9 and made his formula one debut at the 2007 U.S. grand prix.

On the surface both Austrians Arch and Germay’s Vettel, who have got to know each other at sports events this year, make it look like experience might be a bit overrated in motor sport. Hannes Arch has said experience is nevertheless still vital and the more you get better it is. If that’s the case, the sky is the limit for both Hannes Arch and Sebastian Vettel.

Hannes Arch, who is determined to be seen faster and more consistent in 2009, agreed that bringing in new ideas with young blood never hurts.
Sebastian vettel aggress that the experience will help him in Formula One.

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New Zealand wins 2008 Stylewars

Take full advantage of the warm spring south island conditions in New Zealand, Stylewars has stayed true to its reputation of delivering large progressive terrain features where the sport of Snowboarding can be presented within competition format at its current evolutionary park.

This event proved a big hit with huge kickers, transfers, quarterpipes, step ups, stair rail sets and halfpipes, snow park, wanaka really proved itself yet again to be the best freestyle specific resort in the world and therefore a logical home for the new Zealand leg of Stylewars, where a neew grand Master was crowned and New Zealand grabbed the cup convincingly from the former holding team, Australia.

The standard of the riding was high from all of the southern hemisphere athletes having has three good months of training under their belts due to amazingly deep winter snowfall that 2008 has bought to both New Zealand and the Australian mountains.

The large freestyle features took their toll on the competitors, reducing the field from 36 down to the final 26 but also pushing the level of riding to new heights, standouts were three Australian athletes who took on the largest (and most dangerous) feature at sunset and threw down massive tricks under extremely difficult conditions due to the massive size of the jump but also the small area to land on making it essential to land cleanly of face falling through dirt and boulders with painful consequences.

Nate Johnston nailed it with a prefect back 7 rodeo, Mikey Willams pulled off a prefect back 5 and back 7 and Ben Bright threw down a bag of huge tricks including back 180s, cab 5, back rodeo 5, back 3 and closing the session with a cab 7 which won overall Stylewars New Zealand best trick award.

The overall event title of grand master went to US athlete and Breckenridge Colorado local Eric Willett, who showed technical skill and style across all judged sessions putting him in first position on the score board.

The event has an added twist to it, with a rider vote adding the equivalent of a full extra day of competition points, Benny Bright (AUS) and Nate Johnson (AUS) came pushing Nate into the Grand Master position.

The new Zealand team took the Bledisnow cup title back from Australia who won the Australian leg in Fails creek Victorian back in August 2008.

With the 3 star TTR rankings point available at the event, all participating riders bettered their ranking score and improved their position on the swatch TTR world Ranking List, Scott James (AUS) and Nathan Johnstone (AUS) entered the TTR top 25 while Stef Zeestraten (NZE) missed his chance by less 1 point to push 07/08 swatch TTR world champion Kevin pearce (USA) out of the top 10. Stylewars NZ winner Eric Willet (USA) moved up 9 places and is now ranked Swatch TTR world no.12.

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Reed Hanson claims Byerly Toe jam Trifecta.

There were amazing conditions, which bought about some of the most progressive cable riding ever seen at the Orlando Water sports complex during the final day of the Byerlt Toe Jam presented by O’Neil, on Saturday.

There were a total of 16 riders in head to head battles competed until it came down to two Nick Taylor and Reed Hanson in the men’s final showdown. Under the Florida skies, Nick Taylor threw down a crushing first run which included a barrage of big spins and an absolute mastery of OWC’s rails and kickers. Nick Taylor ended his run with huge switch judo 180 off the O’Neil kicker, followed by a front side bigger spin. Reed Hanson was not to be out done, with his huge spin of off the picnic table for his first trick, then threw down a 360 shove, varial flip, frontside flip, switch toeside flip, frontside big spin off the kicker, and just missed a 360 flip for his final trick. It was enough to put Reed Hanson over the top in the cable finals, and his consistency throughout the entire tour won him the 2008 Byerly Toe Jam title, along with some spending cash and a brand new sea Doo Wake edition PWC.

The winners over the weekend were announced after the cable finals, Reed Hanson won the rail park, boat and cable finals, making him only the second rider in toe jam history to ever win three of the weekend’s events, Brandon Thomas having pioneered the feat.

During Friday night’s Best Trick winch jam at the Orlando Water sports Complex, 16 riders sessioned two long rails into OWC’s lake all night long. Ben Horan was on top for the longest with a backside nose slide shove until the finals when Clint Tompkins knocked it out with a back lip 270 shove to take the win. Horan earned second, and Reed Hansen came in third with a massive backside 180 out of the pool

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