- The Modern World Aerobatic Championships Tuesday, 30 July 2013 07:59 The Modern World Aerobatic Championships Written by Gordon Penner & Lorrie Penner 5 (3 votes) In the movie ‘Top Gun’ fighter pilot ‘Iceman’ asked Maverick’ “Who’s the best pilot?” In October of 2013 the World Aerobatic Championship, or WAC, will be coming to America. Sherman/Dennison, Texas will host up to 100 of the world’s best pilots. Let’s look into the modern World Aerobatic Championship and see how it has developed through the years, going through two world wars in the process, to become what it is today. On 14 October, 1905 the FAI, or Federation Aeronautique Internationale, was formed. Its job is to verify and catalog all aviation records, and set standards for those records. Modern World Aerobatic Championships, under the FAI, are considered to be those that have been held since 1960.

Even though flight started in America it was the Europeans who really developed and expanded aerobatic flying in the years between 1906 and World War I. In 1913 Adolphe Pégoud didthe first inverted flight, and Russian Army pilot Petr Nesterov did the first loop. Nesterov was first arrested for risking Army property, but was later promoted to Captain and became an international hero. By the end of World War I in 1918 the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, along with his friends and his enemies, were doing a full suite of aerobatic maneuvers in much improved airplanes. The winner of a dogfight got a higher score of kills and was allowed to continue living. Thankfully, a less lethal measure of pilot excellence came about after the war. In America aerobatics were normally performed as a spectacle along with air races in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Army pilots Jimmy Doolittle, along with Flying Tigers founder Claire Chennault and his “Three Men of the Flying Trapeze,” became quite famous for aerobatics in that era.

It was in Europe that aerobatics were set up as a competitive Olympic-style competition. Both Germany and France developed mathematical judging systems in 1928. 1934 saw the first real world competition, with 2 pilots losing their lives in the contest. World aerobatic competitions were held throughout the 1930’s, most famously in Berlin together with the 1936 Olympics, until World War II intervened in 1939. After World War II aerobatics in America suffered a serious body blow. A pilot who had a tenuous connection to the airshow crashed into the crowd in Flagler, Colorado in 1951 while performing an aerobatic maneuver. 20 people were killed, some of them children, with another 50 injured. This event stopped US national competitions and limited most non-military airshows until the early 1960’s. The opposite occurred in Europe, where many competitions started up in the 1950’s, the most prestigious of which was the Lockheed Trophy competition in Britain. The Lockheed Trophy contest, along with similar competitions in the 1950’s, were judged more on artistic impression than on precision.

Modern aerobatic contests are more like the pre-World War II European contests, where the precision flying of standard maneuvers is the judging standard. Since airplanes were becoming more and more capable a standard “language” had to be created. The first post-war system used internationally was that from Francois d’Huc Dressler. Dressler died in 1957. His system was used from 1955 to 1962. Starting in 1964, and continuing to this day, the FAI adapted the “Sistema Aresti” for judging world competitions. It is now just called the Aresti system and it was developed by Spanish Air Force Col. Jose Luis Aresti. It is very precise mathematically as well as geometrically. The unofficial 2-track aerobatic system, where competition is judged by very rigid mathematical standards and airshow-type flying is judged more on artistry, is now in place worldwide. The bridge between the two is the 4 minute Freestyle, otherwise known as the Final Freestyle. The regular Known, Free Program, and Unknown sequences are judged by the Aresti standard.

The 4 minute Freestyle, on the other hand, is judged on a more artistic basis, similar to the old Lockheed Trophy contests. Tumbling maneuvers like the Lomcovak are allowed in the 4 minute Freestyle, as is smoke. The 4 minute Freestyle also has its own winner and its own trophy. Speaking of trophies, starting in 1964 the individual winner of the world competition is presented with the Aresti Cup. Donated by Col. Aresti, it is covered with gold and silver accents. The trophy is a work of art as well as being the top award. The winning men’s team in the world aerobatic championship is presented with the Nesterov Cup. It was donated by Russia to the FAI in 1962 and named for Russian aerobatic hero Petr Nesterov. The winner of the 4 Minute Freestyle sequence is presented with the Manfred Stroessenreuther Cup. Named for the late German aerobatic champion who excelled at this event, it was donated by the South African Aero Club through the Deutscher Aero Club.

A separate women’s championship was started in 1966, and since 1986 its winner has been presented with the Royal Aero Club Trophy. The 1960’s The first postwar, modern-format World Championships (and the first to be sanctioned by the FAI) was held in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia in 1960. The first World Aerobatic Champion was a Czechoslovak pilot, Ladislav Bezak, flying a Zlin 226T . The rest of the Czech team was close behind in Zlin 226A's. The aircraft were well flown by the Czechs, who won the Nesterov Cup for 1960, 1964, and 1978, and won the Aresti Cup in 1960, 1978, 1984, and 1986. They were definitely a force to be reckoned with. The Zlins were a world-beating advance in aerobatic technology, capable of many new maneuvers, especially in the vertical.

The Zlin 226’s, 326’s, 526’s, and Zlin 50’s battled with the Russian Yak 18’s and Yak 50’s to be the winning airplanes on the world stage from 1960 until the 1990’s. The only real interruption in this battle was when the Pitts S-1S’s won in the 1970’s. The rise of the Sukhoi’s, the Extra’s, and the CAP’s came in the 1990’s. Ladislav Bezak In 1960 Ladislav Bezak was the first pilot use the ” Lomcovak ” maneuver in a world event, although other pilots had been developing the maneuver in the mid 50's and flown it for the Lockheed Trophy. It is not in the Aresti catalog but does get flown in the 4-Minute Freestyle.

In an article, Bezak wrote in regards to the name of the maneuver, “I am afraid my own sister is responsible for this one, but I must say I rather like it.” “…My sister, a nice and gentle lady, but who does not know anything about flying, and who does not speak the Moravian dialect at all (Lomcovak is a purely Moravian word), repeated what she thought she had heard and Voila! The name is variously translated as ‘log in the head,’ ‘headache,’ or ‘look at that drunk trying to walk,’ depending on which Czech you talk to.” Frank Price at Bratislava in 1960 The Americans were the poor stepchildren when it came to the world aerobatic stage in this era. The above is a photograph of American Frank Price standing alone (left), but proud, behind the American flag at Bratislava in 1960. The foreign national teams had been practicing daily for years. Frank had flown airshows between crop dusting gigs. Frank got to Bratislava on his own at considerable personal expense.

He flew his aircraft, a Great Lakes biplane, to the east coast from Texas, took it apart, and put it on a Pan Am transport. Once across the Atlantic he put the airplane back together and then flew it to Bratislava. He was flying behind the Iron Curtain at the height of the Cold War. Afterward, he did not have the money to get his airplane home. Seven months later he was able to get his Great Lakes home. It’s impossible to look at that photo and not feel a sense of gratitude for Frank’s determination to make the USA a part of the World Aerobatic Championships from the very beginning. Frank Price brought back valuable information on the advanced state of aerobatics in Europe and the USSR. They were far ahead of America in that regard. He also brought back the Lomcovak and the beginnings of the Aresti system. Most important of all, he formed an aerobatics club based on the British Tiger Club to promote and organize aerobatics in the United States. It was called the American Tiger Club. Later, the EAA formed the Precision Flying Division, and the Aerobatic Club of America was formed.

The first American to win the World Championship, Charlie Hillard, was an alumni of all of these organizations. Frank Price also went to Hollywood. In the Robert Redford picture “The Great Waldo Pepper” Frank did the aerobatic flying for the fictional German Ace “Ernst Kessler” as well as some of the Jenny flying. The 1962 was the year of the Hungarians. The contest was held in Budapest, Hungary. The winner of the Aresti Cup was Hungarian Josef Toth in a Zlin 226T, and the Nesterov Cup was won by the Hungarian team. The US team consisted of Duane Cole, Lindsey Parsons, and Rod Jocelyn. Lindsey Parsons flew very well and placed 5th against a number of Zlin and Yak monoplanes while flying the 1930’s-designed Great Lakes. The others also did reasonably well in their older designs, but it was clear it would be a while before the Americans were competitive. In 1964 the contest was held in Bilbao, Spain, and Spaniard Tomas Castano won the Aresti Cup in a Zlin 226T.

Bezak and his team were back to win the Nesterov Cup for Czechoslovakia again. 1966 is where we begin to see the rise of the Russian Yak 18, which is a derivative of a military trainer. The contest was held in Moscow, USSR. The winner of the Aresti Cup was Russian Vladimir Martemianov, flying a Yak 18M. The Nesterov Cup went to the Russian team. 1966 is also the first year we see a female world championship, won this year by Russian pilot Galina Kortschuganova. On the left side of the Atlantic the first Pitts S-1S’s were now being flown, most notably by Bob Herendeen, Mary Gaffaney, and Gene Soucy. 1968 closed out the decade with another home team win. The contest is held in Magdeburg, East Germany, and the Aresti Cup went to East German Erwin Blaeske flying a Zlin 526A. The Nesterov Cup went to the East German team. The women’s world championship was won by Madelyne Delcroix of France.

The 1970’s The second decade of the modern WAC opened in 1970 at Hullavington, England, with Soviet pilot Igor Egorov winning the Aresti Cup . Charile Hillard placed 3rd overall. The Americans were up and coming. The IAC was also in its formative stages at this point. The United States team of Bob Herendeen, Charlie Hillard and Gene Soucy took the Nesterov Cup . Many think that but for an engine failure Bob Herendeen would have been world champion in 1970. By now the Pitts Special S-1S had become the de facto American team airplane, and its unusual performance was having its effect on the WAC. In 1972, in Salon de Provence, France, the Americans dominated WAC. Charlie Hillard became the first American to become World Champion. Hillard, with his teammates Gene Soucy and Tom Poberezny took the Nesterov Cup for America for the second time. The US team included Hillard, Soucy, Poberezny, Art Scholl, Bill Thomas, Mary Gaffaney, and Carolyn Salisbury.

Mary Gaffaney won Gold Medals in her first two flights and became the first American to win the Women's World Aerobatic Championship, as well as placing fifth overall. The 1974 WAC was cancelled for political reasons. In 1976, the WAC was held in Kiev, USSR and the Soviets responded to the Pitts with the introduction of the Yak 50 . Unfortunately, 1976 is the year remembered primarily for Cold War judging controversy, with everything going heavily in the Russians favor. It got so bad that the world community voted in the Tarasov-Bauer statistical scoring programs to identify and ameliorate judging bias. The Tarasov-Bauer system was voted in for the 1978 WAC. In 1978, the WAC went to Ceske Budejovice, Czechoslovakia, and Czech pilot Ivan Tucek took the Aresti Cup in a Zlin 50 . The Zlin 50 was beginning its time as one of the top aircraft, winning again in 1985 and 1986. Kermit Weeks of the U.S.

took second in the Weeks Special, a derivative of the Pitts. The Nesterov Cup was won by the Czech team. The Soviets dominated the Women's division in the Yak 50, with Valentina Yaikova winning the top spot. The 1980’s In 1980 the World Aerobatic Championship came to America for the first time. The site was Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the contest was boycotted by the Soviet Team and their east European allies. Leo Loudenslager became the second American to become the World Champion. Leo also introduced his Laser 200 midwing monoplane, whose influence can still be seen in the Extra design series. His teammates Henry Haigh and Kermit Weeks completed a U. S. sweep of the top three spots and won the Nesterov Cup. Betty Stewart won her first women's World Championship title. Leo Loundeslager The 1982 WAC was held in Spitzerberg, Austria. Soviet pilot Victor Smolin won the Aresti Cup in a Yak 50. The Nesterov Cup was won by the Soviet team. America’s Betty Stewart again won the Women’s championship.

In 1984 WAC XII was held in Békéscsaba, Hungary. Czech pilot Petr Jirmus took first and West German Manfred Strossenreuther, for whom the Manfred Strossenreuther is named, took second. They were both flying the Zlin 50 . Soviet women's pilots Khalide Makagonova and Liubov Nemkova took first and second in the Women's championship, flying the new Yak 55. Debby Rihn-Harveytook third in a Pitts S1-S . WAC XII saw the introduction of the Sukhoi Su 26. The United States Men's team of Kermit Weeks, Henry Haigh, and Alan Bush took home the Nesterov Cup for the fourth time. In 1986, WAC XIII was held in South Cerney, England, where the weather was a factor. Petr Jirmus of Czechoslovakia repeated his Individual Men's title, and did it in a Zlin 50LS. The Nesterov Cup was won by the Soviet team of Victor Smolin, Nikolai Nikitiuk, and Sergei Boriak.

Sergei Boriaklater moved to the USA and became a sought after aerobatic coach. Linda Meyers-Morrissey won a gold medal in the Unknown in a beautiful flight following a mistake in the Free Program. 1986 was also the first year that the Woman’s World Aerobatic Champion was presented with the Royal Aero Club Trophy. Liubov Nemkova of the USSR was the winner. 1988 was another great year for the US team. In addition, the WAC had returned to the North American Continent for the second time and was held in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. The United States team did well, with Henry Haigh finally winning the long pursued Aresti Cup . He had an excellent Unknown flight in his personally designed Super Star monoplane. America now had 3 world champions. The U.S. Men's team of Haigh, Kermit Weeks and Clint McHenry took the Nesterov Cup . Patrick Paris of France, who we will hear more of, won the 4 Minute Free in a CAP 231. The winner of the Royal Aero Club Trophy was Catherine Maunoury of France.

In the first ever awarding of the FAI Challenge Cup ,newcomer Ellen Dean joined Linda Meyers-Morrissey and Patty Wagstaff to take the Women's Team trophy. Even though the US had a good year the development of the Russian Sukhoi , the French CAP 231 , and the Extra 300 clearly indicated Europe was progressing beyond the capabilities of the 200 horsepower airplane. The 1990’s The fourth decade of World Aerobatics seemed to only come in two flavors, French or Russian. At this point the Russians are Russians, not Soviets. Here is where we see the domination of the French CAP 231/232’s and the Russian Su 26/Su 31’s, which continued well into the 2000’s. This state of affairs held for both the Aresti Cup results and those of the Nesterov Cup. In this era we also see the rise and domination of Russian ballerina Svetlana Kapanina in the Sukhoi, who won the women’s championship 6 times. The 1990 WAC was in Yverdon, Switzerland in 1990.

The French won, with Claude “Coco” Bessiere, the well-liked Frenchman, taking the Aresti Cup in a CAP 231. The French team won the Nesterov Cup . Linda Meyers-Morrissey took second in her new CAP 231 to Natalya Sergeeva of the Soviet Union in a Sukhoi Su 26. Xavier de Lapparent with the Aresti Cup In 1992 the competition was held in Le Havre, France, but could not be completed due to bad weather. The 1994 WAC was held in Debrecen, Hungary. Xaviar deLapparent took the Aresti Cup for France, and the French team won the Nesterov Cup . Patty Wagstaff took second in the Women's championship for the USA behind Christine Genin of France, and the French won the women’s team championship. The 1996 WAC was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, but it was an all Russian show. Victor Chmal of Russia won the Aresti Cup in his Su 26.

The Nesterov Cup was won by the Russian team that included Nikolai Timofeev. Nikolai Timofeev now lives in Florida, is a sought after aerobatic coach, and is on the 2013 USA Unlimited Team. Svetlana Kapanina won the Royal Aero Club Trophy, and Russia also won the women’s championship team trophy. The 1998 WAC was held in Trencin, Slovakia, and was split by the French and the Russians. It was Patrick Paris in his CAP 232 that won the Aresti Trophy. The Nesterov Cup was won by the Russian team again. Svetlana Kapanina won the Royal Aero Club Trophy as the top female finisher, and the Russian women’s team also won. The winner of the 4 Minute Free was Dominique Roland of France in another CAP 232. The 2000’s In the 2000’s the Nesterov Cup was still being passed back and forth between the French and the Russians, but the Aresti Cup got to see people from other countries, and we began to see the Extra 330’s and the occasional MXS.

Also, starting in 2001 the WAC changed to be held in odd years. The World Advanced Aerobatic Championship, or WAAC, is now held in even years. At the 2000 WAC held in Muret ,France. Most of the top 10 finishers would be on the French team in CAP 232's. Eric Vazeille wins the Aresti Cup, and the French team won the Nesterov Cup. The Women's champion was Catherine Maunoury, but the women’s team trophy is won by the Russians. 2001 saw the WAC in Burgos, Spain. Mikhail Mamistov of Russia wins the Aresti Cup in the Su 31, and the Russian team won the Nesterov Cup. Of course, Svetlana Kapanina wins the women’s championship. The only non-Russian result is the 4 Minute Free, which is won by Klaus Schrodt of Germany in an Extra 330 XS. The 2003 WAC comes back to North America. It is held at the Sun-N-Fun facility in Lakeland, Florida.

The Aresti Cup is won by Sergey Rakhmanin of Russia in an Su 31, and the Russian team won the Nesterov Cup. Svetlana again wins the Royal Aero Club Trophy for the 4th time. Sergei Rakhmanin In 2003 the competitors and volunteers had a good time at Busch Gardens during the down time, and the volunteers were hosted by Kermit Weeks at his new Fantasy of Flight facility up the road in Polk City, Florida. The 2005 WAC was again held in Burgos, Spain, and was a repeat of 2003. Russian champion Sergey Rakhmanin of Russia, flying an Su 26M, won the Aresti Cup. The Russian team won the Nesterov Cup. Svetlana again wins the Royal Aero Club Trophy for now the 5th time. Like 2001 the only non-Russian result is the 4 Minute Free, which is again won by Klaus Schrodt of Germany in an Extra 330 XS. 2007 shows a break in the Russian domination.

The WAC is held in Granada, Spain, and the Aresti Cup is won by Ramon Alonso of Spain in an Su 31. Hooray for the hometown boy, eh? The Nesterov cup is won by the French team. The US gets a top result when the 4 Minute Free is won by Zach Heffley in an Su 26. Svetlana Kapanina wins the Royal Aero Club Trophy for the 6th time. The 2009 WAC was held at Silverstone in the UK and was a sad one for the US Team. US WAC team member and 2007 US Unlimited National Champion Vicki Cruise was killed while flying the contest in a borrowed Edge 540 aircraft. 2009 was a mostly French show. Renaud Ecalle won the Aresti Cup in an Extra 330SC, and the French team won the Nesterov Cup. Renaud Ecalle also won the 4 Minute Free, again flying the Extra. Russian Elena Klimovich won the women’s championship.

In 2009 Frenchman Renaud Ecalle won the Aresti Cup The 2011 WAC is held in Foligno, Italy. The Russians are back with a vengeance, but it is good to see American Rob Holland as the winner of the 4 Minute Free flying the MXS. 2001 Aresti Cup winner, Russian Mikhail Mamistov, comes back to win the Aresti Cup a second time. The Russian team wins the Nesterov Cup. Conclusion Since the 2013 World Aerobatic Championship is being held at the site that already hosts the US National Championships the infrastructure for planes and pilots is already in place. It will be held in October so there will be an escape from the mid-summer heat. It already looks like the WAC will be a well attended event, with pilots from many different countries already committed to come, in spite of that ocean-thing being in the way. The volunteer rolls are filling up nicely, but we can always use some more. Many who have attended these world events over the years have commented on how much fun it was meeting people from all these different countries. Since everyone is in aviation there is a common meeting ground.

Frank Price said he found that even though governments may be different people are the same, and you can get a long way with a smile. The WAC doesn’t come to North America that often, so if you can come meet some of your aviation brothers and sisters. You’ll be glad you did! Football World Cup winners list | FIFA soccer WC champion teams, history Football World Cup winners list Published on Jun 20, 2014 Take a close look at the greatest football teams on earth: the FIFA World Cup champions. The World Cup, also known as the Mundial or Copa do Mundo, has been held 19 times since it inaugural tournament in 1930. It has been won by eight different teams, with Brazil having the most World Cup titles with five, followed by Italy with four, and West Germany with three. Argentina and Uruguay have two titles each while England, France, and Spain have one title. Below is a year-by-year account of all the World Cup champion teams. 1930 FIFA World Cup Final score: Uruguay 4-2 Argentina Host country: Uruguay The 1930 World Cup was staged in Uruguay and it was the host country that won the championship.

In the final match, the Uruguayans saw themselves trailing behind Argentina by 2-1 but managed to turn things around in the second half by scoring three goals. Uruguay became the first World Cup winner with a 4-2 score. 1934 FIFA World Cup Final score: Italy 2-1 Czechoslovakia (Extra time) Host country: Italy The 1934 World Cup was once again won by the host country and this time it was Italy that took the trophy. Playing against Czechoslovakia, Italy imposed a very tough defense but the visiting team breached the Italian line in the 70th to lead 1-0. Italy retaliated to make the game 1-1 before the end of regulation and bagged the win in overtime by a 2-1 tally. 1938 FIFA World Cup Final score: Italy 4-2 Hungary Host country: France Italy retained its crown in the 1938 World Cup in France. In the final match against Hungary, the Italians broke clear with a 3-1 score at halftime and finished the game 4-2.

1950 FIFA World Cup Final score: Uruguay 2-1 Brazil Host country: Brazil The World Cup was not staged again until 1950 because of the Second World War. Played in Brazil, this edition of the Mundial saw one of the biggest upsets in football history when the host country lost to the Uruguay football team. Brazil was highly favored to win in the final match with Uruguay, which was lowly rated after not qualifying in the two previous World Cups. The Brazilians scored two minutes into the second half and everything seemed to be going well for them. However, Uruguay tied on the 66th minute mark and scored anew on the 79th to steal the 1950 World Cup trophy. 1954 FIFA World Cup Final score: West Germany 3-2 Hungary Host country: Switzerland The 1954 World Cup saw another major upset: In the group stage, the Hungarians trashed West Germany 8-3 and was highly favored to win when the two teams met again in the final. Scoring two goals after only eight minutes, the Hungarian football team looked like they were on a smooth way to the Mundial trophy.

However, West Germany equalized within the first half and, just five minutes before the end of regulation, broke away with another goal to win 3-2. 1958 FIFA World Cup Final score: Brazil 5-2 Sweden Host country: Sweden Host Sweden matched up against Brazil in the final of the 1958 World Cup. The Swedish football team opened the scoring but found themselves trailing by 2-1 at the end of the first half. Brazil played top-class football for the rest of the second half and finished the game 5-2. Brazil’s successful campaign was spurred by one of the greatest footballers in history , Pele, who played his first Mundial in this year. 1962 FIFA World Cup Final score: Brazil 3-1 Czechoslovakia Host country: Chile In the 1962 World Cup, Brazil faced Czechoslovakia in the final match without its goal-scoring genius, Pele, as he was injured in the first round. The Czechoslovakians struck the first goal but the Brazilians showed their offensive flare to emerge as victors with a 3-1 score. This was the second of five World Cup trophies in the Brazilian football team’s history.

1966 FIFA World Cup Final score: England 4-2 West Germany (Extra time) Host country: England England faced West Germany at the final of the 1966 World Cup. The Germans found the back of the net first but the English equalized by halftime, 1-1. In the second half, the English pulled away with a goal’s lead but West Germany scored before the end of regulation to take the game into overtime with a 2-2 score. Englishman Geoff Hurst, who had one goal in regulation, scored twice in overtime to make England World Cup winners and to become the only player ever to score a hat trick in a Mundial final. The 1966 victory is the only World Cup trophy in the English football team’s history as of present. 1970 FIFA World Cup Final score: Italy 3-1 West Germany Host country: Spain The 1982 World Cup title is the third of Italy. It was not an easy one, as the Italians barely survived elimination in the first round. The first half of the final game did not prove to be inspiring either, as Italy missed a penalty that would have opened the scoring.

However, Italy managed to squeeze a goal on the 56th minute and followed it up with two more goals to lead 3-0. West Germany scored a goal in the 82nd minute to finish the game honorably, 3-1. 1986 FIFA World Cup Final score: Brazil 0-0 Italy (3-2 pen) Host country: United States The 1994 World Cup, held in the United States, is the fourth occasion that Brazil would rip the highest honor in football. In the final match, neither Brazil nor its opponent, Italy, scored in the regulation and extra periods so the game was forced into a penalty shootout. Both sides missed on their first attempt but Brazil converted its following shots while Italy suffered two more misses to lose 3-2 in the shootout. The biggest disappointment came to Italian football hero Roberto Baggio, who led his team throughout the tournament only to miss his chance from the penalty spot in the final game. 1998 FIFA World Cup Final score: France 3-0 Brazil Host country: France The 1998 World Cup trophy was competed between 32 teams and it was France that emerged triumphant.

The French survived the quarter finals through a penalty shootout against Italy and defeated Croatia in the semis with a 2-1 score. They went on to the final to square up with Brazil. The final belonged to French football legend Zinedine Zidane who scored two goals in regulation to make victory imminent for the host country. His efforts were complemented by Emmanuel Petit, who added another goal in stoppage period. The match ended 3-0 for the first World Cup title in France’s football squad history. 2002 FIFA World Cup Final score: Brazil 2-0 Germany Host country: South Korea & Japan The 2002 World Cup was the first to be held in Asia and saw Brazil become the winner once again. Ronaldo scored both of Brazil’s goals to surge pass Germany 2-0 in the final match. The brilliant striker finished as 2002 top scorer but it was the football goalkeeping legend Oliver Kahn of Germany who bagged the award for the tournament’s best player, the Golden Ball.

(This World Cup, with Korea and Japan as hosts, is the first to be hosted by two nations.) 2006 FIFA World Cup UEFA EURO 1960 - History – UEFA.com 1960 team of the tournament He initially mooted his vision in 1927, but it took the advent of UEFA in 1954 to truly get the project off the ground. Even then, some of Europe's member associations remained reticent, and by the time the green light was shown at the 1957 UEFA Congress, Delaunay had passed away two years previously. Far from forgotten, however, he was a natural choice when it came to naming the trophy. Delaunay's native France was selected from among the semi-finalists to host the first final tournament, but that was still a long way off when teething troubles emerged early on. Only a flurry of late applications took the number of entries over the required minimum of 16, and when the inaugural European Nations' Cup eventually got under way it did so without Italy, West Germany and England.

Built around a format of knockout home-and-away games until the semi-final stage, the competition finally became reality with the first match played at Moscow's Tsentralni Lenin Stadium on 28 September 1958. On that historic day, 100,572 people turned out to watch Anatoli Ilyin become the first scorer after just four minutes, as the USSR defeated Hungary 3-1 before advancing 4-1 on aggregate. Through to the last eight, the Soviets were refused entry in Spain by General Franco, effectively handing Gavril Kachalin's side a bye. Fellow semi-finalists France, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia all progressed to the final tournament in more traditional fashion, yet any notion the Soviets did not deserve their place was quickly dispelled in Marseille, where the Czechs succumbed 3-0 with Valentin Ivanov scoring twice. The hosts were eliminated in a thrilling 5-4 loss to Yugoslavia, still the competition's highest-scoring match.

Raymond Kopa and Just Fontaine were missing for the French, but there was no denying the flair of the Yugoslavs – which contrasted neatly with the defensive fortitude of their opponents when the final kicked off in Paris on 10 July 1960. Indeed, thanks to legendary USSR goalkeeper Lev Yashin, Milan Galić's deflected effort was all the Yugoslavs had to show for 90 minutes of domination. Slava Metreveli's equaliser took the game into extra-time and, as Yugoslavia began fading, Viktor Ponedelnik headed in to claim the Soviet Union's first and only trophy. "There are matches and goals which are really special, sort of a climax of a player's sporting life," Ponedelnik said later. "That was the star moment of my life." For the tournament itself, there would be many more to come. ©UEFA.com 1998-2011. All rights reserved.

Last updated: 18/01/16 16.17CET OUR SPORT OUR SPORT Our Sport FAI Aerobatic Championships have been held since 1960, when the 1st World Aerobatic Championships was organised in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. Competition has now evolved into several categories including Advanced and Unlimited in Power and Glider, YAK-52 World Championships, and a new FAI Elite Series. The sport is governed by the FAI Sporting Code, General Section and Section 6 (Aerobatics). These rules can be found under "Documents". What is Aerobatics? Aerobatics has been performed in aircraft almost since the first flight of a powered aircraft. In the early years before World War I, aerobatics served as entertainment for crowds fascinated by these new aerial machines. Later, it became an essential part of a military pilot’s training and utilized in combat. In more recent decades, it has been recognized as an important part in a pilot’s training in order to make him or her more proficient in controlling their aircraft in all flight attitudes. The challenge of performing aerobatic figures precisely led to the development of aerobatic competition.

The first competitions were held in the early 1930’s, at the Olympics in Berlin in 1936, and at various national competitions after World War II. FAI recognized the need for a sanctioned World Championships which led to that first post-war competition in 1960 (1st World Aerobatic Champion Ladislav Bezak shown right). World Championships in Power are held every two years and in Gliders every year. Continental Championships are held in the off years. Pilots who compete in World and Continental Championships are selected by their FAI member organizations and compete both individually and as teams. Browse the Calendar for upcoming FAI Aerobatic Championships. Aerobatic Competitions An aerobatic competitions are a highly demanding test of a pilot’s ability to fly a high-performance aircraft, whether it is powered or a glider, very precisely in a programme of figures. These programmes are flown in a very small “box” which is a one-kilometer cube. Excursions from the box incur heavy penalties. These “sequences” are physically demanding and require expert control and situational awareness.

Aircraft used for competition are highly specialized and though specially built for this purpose, require superb handling and energy management in order to win. Pilots are judged by a panel of seven to ten judges who grade each figure on a range of 0 to 10. “Freestyle” programmes are also included in competitions which are flown to different criteria. Scores are processed using a statistical system called “FairPlay”. While several FAI Aerobatic Championships are held each year, local, regional, and national competitions number in the hundreds throughout the world. To achieve a slot on a National Team can take many years of practice and preparation and hundreds of hours in the air under the watchful eyes of an experienced trainer. Bidding for Championships Bids to organize and host FAI Aerobatic Championships are welcome. Deadline for submission of bids is the 1st of October every year. Bids will then be considered by the CIVA Bureau with final selections being made by the plenary in November. Bids are encouraged as far in advance as possible. The President of CIVA should be contacted at civa-president@fai.org for further details on organizing a Championship.

"Guidelines for Bidding" are also found in the "Documents" section of this website. World Cup Winners List - World Cup Soccer History of Winners List FIFA World Cup Winners List and History by Jordan Adams Below is a list of the World Cup Soccer winners and details from past events in history. 1930 FIFA World Cup Winners: Uruguay Hosted by the country of Uruguay, the first ever FIFA World Cup was held eight years after the international game was first recognized through Olympic competition. It was in 1929 that a group voted that the country of Uruguay should be the first nation to host a FIFA World Cup. This tournament started out small, as only thirteen nations were to compete. Four of the countries were from Europe, eight came from South America and the Untied States took part as well. As far as the games went, Uruguay held strong against its opponents, as they swept through group play, defeating both Peru and Romania via shutouts. Once in the knockout round, Uruguay's team continued its strong play defeating Yugoslavia in the Semifinals, 6-0, and it conquered Argentina in the Championship game, 4-2.

Uruguay's tournament success can be attributed to its strikers, having two of the top goal scorers in the tournament in Cae and Anselmo. Get a FREE 20% Signup Bonus at Bookmaker Sportsbook - Click Here - Mention bonus code DOC300 1934 FIFA World Cup Winners: Italy Italy's triumph in the 1934 World Cup marked the second host team to win the tournament since the creation of the event. Turned down to host the 1930 FIFA World Cup, Italy beat Czechoslovakia 2-1 in extra time after trailing 1-0 through most of the game until an equalizer eight minutes before time ended. A great leap from the inaugural tournament, the second ever World Cup had 32 competitors, so all teams, including the host Italy, had to qualify in order to continue. Sixteen teams went on to the elimination round, however the defending champion Uruguay team failed to send a squad to defend their title. In the final match it was Czechoslovakia striking first blood when left-winger Puc put a goal through with twenty minutes remaining.

With only a few minutes to go and trailing, it was Italy's Orsi that put his squad back in the match with the tying goal, sending the match to extra time where Italy's Meazza would come back from an injury to score the winning goal and capture the victory for his home country. 1938 FIFA World Cup Winners: Italy Marked by the cloud of war, the third ever World Cup received fewer nations as many held back because of this issue. It was in this World Cup that one of the greatest matches was played by Brazil and Poland. Brazil came away with the victory in extra time, 6-5. While Italy defended its title and came away with its second consecutive World Cup championship, it was Brazil's Leonidas who came into the spotlight with a tournament-leading seven goals and created worldwide interest with his exceptional marksmanship. However, it was the decision of Brazilian coach Adheniar Pimenta to rest Leonidas, as well as others, for the final. They never got that opportunity, as Italy knocked out the South American power, 2-1. Advancing to the final, Italy captured back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles as they defeated Hungary, 4-2.

1950 FIFA World Cup Winners: Uruguay Twelve years from the last FIFA tournament, the fourth-ever World Cup took place in Brazil after the Second World War had concluded. This tournament in Brazil marked a new era for soccer as the tournaments were held in much larger stadiums throughout the cities of this South American country. Instead of qualifying for an elimination format, it was four teams that continued to a round robin format. It was host city Brazil, along with Uruguay, Spain and Sweden which joined for the final round. At this point Brazil cruised past Sweden and Spain, 7-1, and 6-1, respectively. Uruguay also managed to defeat Spain, 2-1, advancing to play the Brazilian squad in the championship. Brazil needed only a tie to capture the title, as Uruguay had only three points. However, Uruguay shocked Brazil and their home crowd and won their second FIFA World Cup, 2-1. 1954 FIFA World Cup Winners: West Germany The fifth ever World Cup was remembered for its high-scoring matches and an underdog victory by West Germany. Held in Switzerland, the heavy favorites were Hungary, as they were unbeaten in 28 international and Olympic matches.

Hungary seemed to be a lock for the championship as they played great football throughout group play, crushing Korea 9-0 and Germany the same, 8-3. However, after Hungary had reached the finals versus a West Germany team that they had already beaten handily, many never gave the West German squad a chance. The match started as most assumed, as Hungary went up two goals, and seemed to have the match under control. It was the determination of the West Germans that led them to a remarkable victory, fighting hard to even the score and pulling ahead with just six minutes remaining to stun the soccer world. 1958 FIFA World Cup Winners: Brazil Held in Sweden, this year's tournament marked the first time that the FIFA World Cup would be televised internationally so that the world could witness the best soccer had to offer. This being the sixth World Cup also marked a record number of teams competing. The largest field in the tournament's history gave the world a chance to see more unknown football nations and a possibility of upsets like in the past tournament with the success of the West German team.

The 1958 World Cup will be most remembered for the emergence of Brazilian striker Pele, who at only 17 years of age scored six goals, including two in the final match against the host team, as Brazil would capture the FIFA title, 5-2. Pele was now a star and would be a sight to see in future World Cups to come. 1962 FIFA World Cup Winners: Brazil Hosted in Chile, the 1962 FIFA World Cup was captured by the Brazilian squad, now claiming the title of world's best for two straight tournaments. Returning to South America 12 years after Brazil had hosted, FIFA now boasted a new team record of 56. Brazil, once again sweeping through the competition, won with great team play, as leader Pele was only able to play in the opening game versus Mexico before being forced to sit because of an injury. Without its infamous superstar, Brazil would get goals from three different players as they beat Czechoslovakia in the final, 3-1.

1966 FIFA World Cup Winners: England Again hosted back over in Europe -- this time in London -- the Brazilian team would have an opportunity to win its third FIFA Cup in the last three tournaments. However, once again Pele would be nagged by injuries and that in itself would be enough to crown a new champion. It was the host country that would make the most of its opportunity. England met West Germany in the final match and led by a hat-trick by striker Geoff Hurst, England would successfully keep the FIFA Cup in its own country, 4-2. However, one of Hurst's goals was in question if it had ever crossed the line after striking the crossbar. The argument from both sides still continues today. 1970 FIFA World Cup Winners: Brazil In this ninth edition of the FIFA Cup, it would be now allowed for substitutions to take place throughout the matches, as well as yellow and red cards to be introduced during play. Held in Mexico, the 1970 FIFA World Cup tied a record first set in 1950 for no players sent off the field do to conduct or unnecessary play. To no one's surprise it was Brazil who again claimed the title of world's best.

This time the play of Jairzinho, who became the first player to score a goal in every match, led the South Americans. Brazil defeated Italy in the final, 4-1. Because of Brazil's spectacular play, overlooked was Italy's semifinal match against West Germany, which became the first match in FIFA World Cup history to have five goals scored in extra time. 1974 FIFA World Cup Winners: West Germany This FIFA Cup marked the first time that people could enjoy the matches on color television. Hosted by the West Germans, they were able to successfully win the tournament, but their victory claimed a new trophy. This time instead of being awarded the Jules Rimit trophy, a new solid gold statuette would be known as the "FIFA World Cup." Ninety-eight nations now competed for this new trophy, which was sculpted by Silvio Gazzaniga, who also designed the first trophy. 1978 FIFA World Cup Winners: Argentina Not since they reached the final match in 1930 had Argentina had a better outcome. Hosting and winning the FIFA Cup, the Argentineans rallied from a poor performance against Italy in the opening round, eventually defeating the Netherlands in the final, 3-1.

Boasting the top goal scorer of the tournament, Argentina was lead by Mario Kempes and a solid surrounding unit that managed to keep consistent play throughout the tournament and capture the title for its home fans. 1982 FIFA World Cup Winners: Italy It was Italy who came away with their third FIFA championship, after surviving its opening round game on goal difference. Italy went right through Brazil as Paolo Rossi led the Italian attack with a hat-tick and chalked up a victory over the perennial power, 3-2. Italy then went on to defeat West Germany in the final, 3-1. Rossi finished the tournament with six goals and was the top scorer. 1986 FIFA World Cup Winners: Argentina Wining the tournament for the second time in three tries, the Argentina team, led by Diego Maradona, captured the title with a victory over West Germany, 3-2. In one of its games versus England, he dubbed one of his two goals as "the hand of God." The tournament was originally to be awarded to Columbia, but in 1983 they announced that they could no longer afford to stage football's grandest stage.

Also noted was the terrible earthquake that devastated the country beforehand, but was not to postpone this event that brought joy to so many after the fact. 1990 FIFA World Cup Winners: West Germany Looked down upon because of too many matches decided by penalty kicks, the 1990 World Cup was held in Italy. Ten of the 12 stadiums were recreated for the matches so that the event could be at its best. Despite the top goal scoring being from the host city, it was West Germany that claimed the title over Argentina, 1-0. Both semifinal matches were decided via penalties, as well as one settled in similar fashion in the quarterfinals. 1994 FIFA World Cup Winners: Brazil The first-ever World Cup hosted in the United States, it was Brazil that came away with another Cup victory. Viewed as an exceptional tournament, Brazil knocked out Italy in the final after a goalless draw forced the match to penalty kicks. The hosts bowed out gracefully to the eventual champions in the second round, as Brazil was clearly the best overall team throughout the tournament. 1998 FIFA World Cup Winners: France Held in France, the 16th FIFA World Cup was the largest ever.

Thirty-two teams competed and 64 matches were played throughout. Match format were styled in eight groups of four, as the field was spread out until 30 countries were to qualify. France ousted defending champion Brazil in the final match 3-0, and they brought great joy to its home fans, as it seemed almost inevitable that they would be successful in this tournament. 2002 FIFA World Cup Winners: Brazil The most recent World Cup was held in Korea, and to no surprise it was the Brazilian squad that came out on top. Winning its unprecedented fifth FIFA World Cup, the South Americans bumped Germany from another shot at the championship, 2-0. Ronaldo was the leading goal scorer in the tournament, netting eight goals; the most since Gerd Muller in 1970. While the tournament field could be considered quite deep, Brazil was the clear cut favorite as they made German goalie Oliver Kahn, who was dominant throughout, seem mortal in the final. In one of the more entertaining and star-studded matches, Brazil defeated England, 2-1, despite a great attempt from David Beckham, Michael Owen, and company.

2006 FIFA World Cup Winners: Italy In this edition of the biggest sporting event in the world, much was built on the hopes that hosts Germany could thrive. They were ranked in the top ten coming into the tournament and finished very strong in third place. The elimination rounds featured some tension-filled and exciting moments. From the questionable penalty that saw Italy through in the Round of 16 vs. Australia to the heated collisions that Portugal had with both the Netherlands and England, the 2006 World Cup was a brilliant sight to behold. France's 2002 epic failure was quickly wiped clear with a memorable march to the 2006 Final behind their legendary countryman Zinedine Zidane (injured right before 2002 World Cup). The French bested world powers Brazil, Spain and then Portugal on way to their epic clash with rivals Italy. The eventual champions Italy came through with a memorable semifinal match against Germany, one that they won 2-0 in added extra time. Not only was that the best match of this World Cup but also one of the better meaningful matches over the last decade.

In the end penalties saw Italy to the top of the world football pyramid and they raised the trophy as the best in the globe.

Question: Who were the winning team at the first World Aerobatic Championships in 1960?
Answer: Czechoslovakia