2017 FAI Swoop Freestyle World Championships

Precision flying onto the Peblinge Lake, Copenhagen

This weekend Copenhagen is hosting the first FAI Swoop Freestyle World Championships on the Peblinge Lake – smack bang in the middle of the city!

Friday 25 August 2017

Eighteen of the world’s premier swoopers are thrilling the crowds with their skilful but jaw-dropping manoeuvres, combining speed and precision flying, with the USA dominating the field with 6 competitors, including husband and wife team Curt & Jeannie Bartholomew. The UAE are close behind represented by 3 individuals, including Cornelia Mihai. Italy have fielded two pilots with Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, New Zealand, Spain and Venezuela each with 1 competitor.

Yesterday afternoon saw the two training rounds but with strong turbulent winds almost all the competitors got a soaking – much to the amusement of the crowds lining the banks of the lake. The evening culminated with a night-time show of the Swoop Nightlight Air Display with flares and some wingsuit and base at the same time. The live music extravaganza brought the day’s competition to a close.

This afternoon the two qualifying rounds are scheduled to take place, followed by the finals – thankfully the winds have abated but we are left with low clouds at the moment, so we will have to wait and see.