The new Advanced World Champion is Petr Biskup from the home country Czech Republic, flying a 300 hp Zlin 50LS. Second was Gerard Bichet of France (CAP-222) and third Vikto Popov of Russia (Yak 54). This variety is some evidence, perhaps, that it is the pilot that matters not the aircraft.

The Team Gold went to the Czechs, by a margin of only 130 points over the second-placed Russians. Great Britain secured the Team Bronze through the performances of Nick Buckenham (10th overall), Nick Wakefield (13th) and Mark Jefferies (20th). The other two British pilots also finished in the top half of the 60 field. Kester was disappointingly 25th after a zero and a break in the Unknown, while Tim flew a safe Unknown to lift himself to 30th overall after his lapse of concentration in the Free.

Top placing US pilot was Bob Stark (CAP222) who placed 16th, closely followed by Brad Lang (S2B) in 19th. Maynard Smith and Dave Swartz, the other two S2B pilots ended 31st and 32nd respectively.

The contest will be remembered generally as one where changing weather conditions limited the flying rate throughout the latter stages, after the Programme Q was finished on Sunday. One whole day was lost and the need for frequent weather flights on the remaining days, as the weather patterns changed, meant that generally only 30 to 40 flights were made in any one day.

The other major controversy, that will continue for some time I expect, concerns French pilot Richard Lothoz. He was lying in third place after the Free Programme and flew 58th in the Unknown. A free weather break was in operation, to be taken after Figure 4 and therefore before the spin. The pilot took this break, then flew outside the box to visit low cloud some distance away before landing without re-starting the sequence. After taking evidence from the panel of Judges and from the pilot, the International Jury decided that there had in fact been insufficient reason to terminate the flight and did not permit a re-flight.

Some team members from various countries will probably leave today, but most will stay for this evening's closing ceremony and prize-giving. The dispersal Sunday morning will see long journeys ahead for many, and the hopefully temporary parting of many new international friends.

FULL RESULTS OF AWAC99