Extreme skydiver to open Al Ain aerobatics

Extreme skydiver and base-jump champion Felix Baumgartner will open this year's Al Ain Aerobatics Show and Fédération Aéronautique Internationale World Grand Prix.

The Austrian enthralled the world last July by becoming the first person to skydive across the English Channel. He was wearing only a jumpsuit equipped with a carbon fin and an oxygen tank. The 35-year-old former mechanic has also jumped from Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Towers, the world's tallest building, and the statue of Christ in Rio de Janeiro in 1999.

The show is being held at Al Ain International Airport from January 24 to 28. Lieutenant Colonel Pilot Mohammad Bin Barrak Al Daheri said the event has generated worldwide interest. "Many media organisations in Asia and Europe have been contacting us for information and media coverage of the show," he said.

He said the first two days of the show will include a musical air play, The Flight of Hope, in which aircraft will perform synchronised manoeuvres to live music.

"The theme of the display revolves around a physically challenged boy who strives to overcome his disability in order to fly," Lt Col Al Daheri said.

He said invitations had been sent to centres for people with special needs as well as to Dar Zayed, the centre for comprehensive welfare for orphans in Al Khazna. Special seating facilities will be arranged.

The third day will see the start of the aerobatics competition. A panel of international experts will judge aerobatic performance as well as the speed and precision of participating teams.

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and the UAE Air Force and Air Defence are organising the event in cooperation with the World Air Sports Federation.

For more information, log on to www.alainairshow.com or call at the tollfree number 800-5353.