Hunts pilot competes at World Aerobatic Championships

LITTLE Gransden pilot Mark Jefferies is competing this week for Team Mazda UK at the World Aerobatic Championships (WAC) at Silverstone.

The championships were struck by tragedy on Saturday when American pilot Vicky Cruse died after crashing her aircraft, but the organisers have announced that the championships will continue.

British national champion Jefferies will be part of the six-strong British team that will be going for gold at the prestigious event, which is being held in the UK for the first time in over twenty years. Britain has never won the WAC in its fifty year history, but Jefferies is hoping that home advantage can help his team deliver the trophy.

"It is fantastic that the championships are being held in the UK this year. There are many extremely talented teams and individuals participating in the competition, but even so, Team GBR has a real chance of success."

He is also hoping to improve on his strong showing in 2007 when he was ranked eighth in the world.

"I will certainly be doing everything possible to ensure that we turn in great performances that will see us improve still further on the excellent results we achieved at the last championships in Spain in 2007."

Competition will be tough for Jefferies and his squad, with 18 other teams vying for the title in the Technical and Freestyle disciplines of the sport.

To win the title, pilots have to fly with nerve and precision to impress the judges, carrying out precise and highly complex moves.

The highly-experienced Jefferies has reputation for calculated precision in the air, learnt from thousands of hours of flying time.

The championships come to an end this Saturday, when the titles of men's, women's and team championships will be announced, and the world aerobatic freestyle champion crowned.