INFO:
14TH ASIANIA PARACHUTING CHAMPIONSHIP
and CHINA INTERNATIONAL OPEN
Fuyang City, Anhui Province, China 14th – 22nd October 2011
The championships were hosted and conducted by the Aero Sports Federation of China, Fuyang City Council, and Fuyang Sports Bureau in conjunction with the Asiania Parachute Federation. Congratulations and sincere thanks to these organizations and all of those personnel who worked so hard to ensure the success of this spectacular event. Thank you to all of the sponsors who contributed to make the event outstanding. The many happy and keen young Fuyang University students who volunteered to work as interpreters and general help were indeed much appreciated.
Asiania member countries of Australia, Bahrain, China, Egypt, China Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Uzbekistan together with members form other international countries Canada, Poland, Romania, Russia and Ukraine attended this well conducted event and certainly enjoyed the warm and generous hospitality of the city.
Parachuting and Skydiving dominated Fuyang city’s daily life. Huge colorful Asiania Parachuting Championships and China International Open signs were displayed throughout the city, commencing on arrival at the airport and everywhere one walked or drove there were hundreds of signs advertising the championships.
The 14th Asiania Parachuting Championship allows for member countries to nominate a team for each of the Asiania events, while the China International Open is open to every team and individual who attends from any country as long as they are FAI members. Magnificent trophies and medals were awarded to the winners of both Asiania and the International Open events.
Accuracy landings were carried out at the modern Fuyang Sports stadium, where thousands of spectators visited every day and were able to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the precision jumping.
4-way Formation Skydiving, 4-way Canopy Formation Rotations and Freefall Style were carried out at the Fuyang airport, where competitors had plenty of area to land safely, room to creeper, pack and relax in air-conditioned comfort in one section of the airport lounge area which was especially blocked off from any public use for the competition period. The airport was not busy with just one commercial flight per day, and occasionally two. Competitors were bused to the airport which was only five minutes s from the stadium and hotel. They were able to enjoy light refreshments in comfort while they waited for their aircraft.
Cessna 208 aircraft was used for accuracy and CF, with the PC6 Pilatus Porter accommodating FS and style jumpers plus some accuracy. The AN2 was used for style, CF and accuracy.
The hotel accommodation was very comfortable with all meals provided and special foods as requested. Breakfast and dinner were at the hotel, while huge tents at the stadium provided excellent luncheon venues where good food was readily available. Toilet facilities were plentiful and well serviced.
The very large Judging room and easily accommodated all of the judging. Sessions were staggered with CF and FS judging sessions carried out in front of a large LCD screen, while smaller individual monitors were used for style judging. Judging facilities were generally very good on field and indoors. Chief Judge, Event Judges etc. shared a separate large room which worked well. Office equipment was well provided. Weckbecker system was used for style and accuracy judging.
Chief Judge was Faye Cox, with Guo Shulin assistant Chief Judge, Event Judges Barry McAuley (CF), Ray Williams (FS) and Fan Junying (Style & Accuracy). Twenty one FAI and National judges worked well on the panels in their various disciplines. The Judge Conference was conducted over two days to select the final panels.
Meet Director Wang Yongli was ably supported by Han Zhaofang who was the assistant Meet Director and general co-ordinator. Mubarak Al Swailim was the Asiania Controller. Jury President Azizan Abdul Aziz was able to relax as there were no protests.
Competition conditions were generally pretty good, with clear skies with 3mps average winds. However the nearby trees, stadium buildings and signs made the accuracy jumping very tricky at times, causing quite a few regretful scores. Sixteen accuracy rejumps were made due to winds, light, equipment fault and one malfunction .Events proceeded fairly uneventfully other than the last 2 days when heavy fog and a few showers prevented any aircraft from taking off at all due to lack of visibility. Finally a total number of 7 rounds of accuracy, 6 rounds of CF, 5 rounds of FS and 2 rounds of style were completed. No new Asiania records were created.
The Opening Ceremony was enjoyed by delegations and thousands of spectators at the fully packed, overflowing stadium. Surrounding streets were cordoned off to traffic enabling spectators to assemble. Approximately 2000 Fuyang personnel carried out various field sporting, singing, dancing artistry and cultural groups providing well-rehearsed displays, ending with a very enjoyable and colorful fireworks display. Unfortunately strong winds prevented any aerial displays including parachuting, balloons and paramotors.
Style and CF awards were made at the Stadium and enjoyed by the most enthusiastic public. Remaining awards were presented at City Hall.
The Closing Banquet at the Hotel provided a perfect scene for teams and delegations to say their final farewells and many “campeis” were exchanged during the course of the evening.
Top placings for each event are listed on the www.asiania.org Results page for your convenience. Full results will be available in PDF form.
On the 23rd and 24th teams departed for their hometowns. The championships provided an excellent source of competition experience for all competitors who attended from the world class teams to the up and coming challengers.
Asiania remains a constant training ground assisting with promoting and developing competitions and skills in all areas of the sport as well as providing a platform to make new friendships, exchange ideas and share experiences.
Thank you so much to everyone who supported these championships. Your attendance was welcomed and respected and we hope to see you at the 15th Asiania Parachuting Championship next year.
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