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British Pilot Loses Count of Records

AL AIN - British pilot Guy Westgate said he honestly “lost count” while smashing the world record for turns on a S-1 glider on the second day of the Al Ain Aerobatic Show on Thursday.

The Swift Glider Aerobatic Team pilot, who is an eight-time UK aerobatic champion in his S-1 glider, went one better than his own previous world record of 11 in front of the cheering crowds.

“I had never done more than 11 before. It’s a bit of a game for us to see if we can beat the record at airshows; it’s very satisfying. The only thing that is restricting us as far as I can see at the moment is that we are running out of room in front of the grandstand! We’ll have to see if we can achieve the physically impossible, and perform turns on the tow, while turning a corner. Perhaps, next year for Al Ain,” said Westgate.

Faisal Al Sheikh, head of the Major Event’s Division of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), hailed the world record. “This is another historic milestone for the Al Ain Aerobatic Show. For Al Ain to be associated with a world record is fantastic, and with still two more days left of the show, we hope to see more.”

Westgate and his team are the only daredevils in the world capable of performing the difficult manoeuvre. “It’s very tricky to learn,” said Westgate. “Three years ago, I was doing well if I could manage two turns, it takes a while to get the hang of it.”

He said he hoped his record-breaking feat would secure him a place in the schedule at the next Al Ain Aerobatic Show. “In the UK, Al Ain is considered one of the top airshows and we know that only the cream of the crop fly here, and we would very much like to be invited back.”

Meanwhile, another Guinness record-holder and Aero GP champion Zoltan Veres on Thursday joined the ‘Shrink-A –Bottle’ campaign being organised by Al Ain Mineral Water Company as part of its message to reduce, reuse and recycle the empty bottles. The organisation has installed the shrinking device at the Aerobatic Show.

“I encourage all the spectators to visit the Al Ain Mineral Water exhibition stand, and see for themselves one of the simplest yet most effective ways to recycle PET (polyethylene terethalate) – even a child can do it,” said Zoltan.

· -news@khaleejtimes.com