World aerobatic champion Aude Lemordant is counting the days to her trip to Durban.
Lemordant is the only woman to take part in this year’s Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics to be held at the Greyville Racecourse on May 28.
She will be among 10 of the world’s toughest competitors, including Rob Holland (USA), Artur Kielak (Poland) and South Africa’s Nigel Hopkins, Barrie Eeles and Patrick Davidson.
In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Tribune this week, the 34-year-old reigning Unlimited World Champion since 2013, said this was her first visit to the city and was hoping to sneak in some time to explore some of Durban’s iconic venues.
“I have met many talented South Africans during international competitions who have told me so much about their country.
“This event is unique and requires very different skills, such as technical aerobatic skills, low flying and fast flying.
“In this contest we have high level competitors, some who are better in classical aerobatics, others in freestyle and others more used to low-level flying. It promises to be full of surprises and anyone can win,” said Lemordant.
The blonde beauty will be flying Nigel Hopkins’s extra 330SC with adjustable seats, which was specially designed for the competition.
Her journey with flying started when she flew gliders at the age of 14.
By the age of 16, she started flying on her own - even before she was allowed to drive a car. When she turned 18 she got her pilot licence in the US.
It was never an easy ride and she described her first few months as daunting.
“I was intimidated at first. I was only 21 when I started (commercial) flying but I looked not a day older than 16. The passengers thought I was the captain’s daughter. Now that I am older I have honed my skills and take each flight with stride and poise,” she said.
Sunday Tribune