McAully, Newbold & Icicle Trophies, 2026 results
CD’s Report for the McAully, Newbold and Icicle Trophies at Leicester 8-9 May 2026
So many of our competition reports contain long passages about the weather. I am delighted to say that our weekend at Leicester was untroubled in this regard. We briefed at noon on Friday 9th and were flying by 13.15. We completed flying for the day shortly before 17.00, having had 16 flights. Saturday dawned CAVOK , we briefed at 09.00 with the intention of trying to complete all the scheduled sequences that day, against a less favourable weather forecast for Sunday. As it happened, we did just that: 32 flights with short breaks for the judges.
So, to the flying. Two Club pilots flew the Known three times: Luke Roberts in a Decathlon and Huw Carter in a Slingsby. It was very close after the first sequence with both scoring around 70% but Luke marginally ahead. Thereafter, the challenges of stall turning the Decathlon proved decisive with Huw taking the lead and keeping it in the next two sequences, to leave him on 68% to Luke’s 64%; a creditable effort by both with 70% being the target.
At Sports, in the first sequence Paul O’Connor led from Matt Schumann and Ben Voce. James Bowkett just pipped Ben in the 1st Unknown with Paul 3rd. In the 2nd Unknown Paul triumphed again with James 2nd and Ben 3rd. Ben’s consistent scores took him to the top of the leaderboard. It was a closely fought result with very similar points totals for both Ben and Paul. Unfortunately, we later found an error in how a penalty was applied which would have reversed the top two places. After consultation with the Directors, the decision was taken to award two Gold Medals and that the McAully Trophy would have joint winners this year. Congratulations to Ben and Paul.
At Intermediate, Ruth Scott got off to a great start in the Known, leading Gary Ferriman by just 1.33 points and John McCarthy by 12. The most infuriating thing about our sport is that once a sequence goes wrong, it can turn to disaster very quickly. Gary accumulated four HZ’s in the 1st Unknown and with that his chances of a podium were gone. John flew the best 1st Unknown, followed by Nick Riddin and Ruth. In the 2nd Unknown, Ruth triumphed again with John 2nd and Charlie Coode 3rd. That was also the final order. An error was identified in the results announced at the presentation ceremony which were taken from the version published on the website. Regrettably, that version did not include the third flight, which led to the incorrect placings being announced. I have apologised to all directly concerned and thank them for their forbearance.
For the Icicle, the decision was taken to fly the two Advanced Unknowns (that make up the Icicle) first and then, if there was time, the Knowns for the two Unlimited pilots and one Advanced. Steve Bakhtiari got off to a good start on 75.6% with Paul Elvidge on 75.5% and David Thomson on 74.1%. David then had a superb flight in the 2nd Unknown to record 78.1% followed by Steve on 75.0% and Paul on 71.2%. His second flight was enough to give David the Icicle Trophy from Steve and Paul. David also flew the Unlimited Known, a longer and more difficult sequence than the Advanced Unknowns, sufficiently well to score 69.5% to Steve’s 67.7%. Paul flew the Advanced Known without peer!
As anyone who has been involved in contest organisation will know, it is a team effort. In the weeks before this contest, Brian and I had huge support from Steve Green, Rich Gale and Nick Buckenham. That things did not go entirely to plan, underlines how much Jamie Williams did in the background last year. We know what went awry at this competition and steps will be taken to prevent repetition. My thanks on the day go to the judges, CJ Brian McCartney, with Ian Scott, Nick Buckenham and Steve Green, their assistants, Julie Lawley, Gary Frederick, Jen Buckenham, Alan Cassidy, to our scorer, Trevor Scott and to Seb Pierson, who acted as a “spotter” throughout the weekend: I am glad to report no box incursions.
Everyone at Leicestershire Aero Club including Phil Walker, the Airport Manager, and all his catering, operations and support staff made us very welcome and are happy that we are returning in August. It is always a pleasure to fly at Leicester and we appreciate the very warm welcome and support afforded to British Aerobatics every time we visit. We look forward to returning later in the season and for many years to come.
Martin Sandford
14th May 2026
