World first: Pilot lands plane on Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

World first: Pilot lands plane on Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
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Luke Czepiela spent 650 test landings at ground level — in Poland, the US, and Dubai — building his confidence to land on the elevated helipad. (Supplied)
World first: Pilot lands plane on Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
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Luke Czepiela’s landing is not the first time the sail-shaped hotel has been the scene of an impressive feat. (Supplied)
World first: Pilot lands plane on Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
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Luke Czepiela’s plane has been modified to use nitrous to enhance power for hissecondary challenge — taking off from the helipad. (Supplied)
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Updated 15 March 2023
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World first: Pilot lands plane on Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

World first: Pilot lands plane on Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
  • Poland’s Luke Czepiela stops a fixed-wing aircraft 212 meters above the ground on helipad of Dubai’s world-famous hotel

At 39 years old, Luke Czepiela has spent his life pushing his limits in aviation, and at 6:58 a.m. on March 14, he became the first person in history to land a plane on the helipad atop the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai.

Czepiela, an air racing champion, had just 27 meters to bring his Cub Crafters-built STOL aircraft (Carbon Cub/short take-off and landing) to a stop and completed the task in 20.76 meters. While the aircraft is specifically made for abrupt landings in ordinary circumstances, landing atop a 56-story building ensured Czepiela’s historic landing took place in extraordinary circumstances.

Adding to the spectacle was Czepiela’s take off, where he soared over the beach in celebration.

“To be honest I couldn’t feel happier! Two years in the making, third attempt (to land) today and everything was perfect. We’ve managed to put a plane on a helipad 212 meters above the ground, on the most iconic, the most beautiful building in the world,” said Czepiela.

“The best bit after the landing was the take-off, I had so much fun just dropping the aircraft out of the sky and diving almost to beach level.”

Czepiela has been prepping for this moment since 2021. In total, he completed 650 test landings at ground level — in Poland, the US, and Dubai — building his confidence to land on the elevated helipad.

“The biggest challenge was the lack of any external points of reference, which is usually found at an airport where you have hundreds of meters of runway,” he said.

“Normally when approaching a runway, I see how high above it I am, and I can easily control the approach path. Today the helipad disappeared over the nose and my periphery was reduced. I had to rely on my practice and instincts if I wanted to come to a stop before running out of space.”

Czepiela’s landing is not the first time the sail-shaped hotel has been the scene of an impressive feat. Among those moments was a tennis match between champions Roger Federer and Andre Agassi in 2005, and in 2013, David Coulthard performed donuts in a Formula One car.

Coulthard, a 13-time F1 Grand Prix winner, said of Czepiela’s achievement: “I want to send my congratulations to Luke for joining me as the only two people to do donuts on the Burj Al Arab helipad. What an incredible sight, seeing him land an aircraft on the pad!”

With his flight adding another chapter to the storied helipad, Czepiela recalled the moment when the perfect weather conditions arrived for him to attempt his world-first landing.

“Once I got to the aircraft and I started practicing with the little wind, I felt so confident, I felt so good,” Czepiela said.

Guiding Czepiela onto the helipad was renowned American aviation engineer, fabricator and aircraft builder Mike Patey.

“I just played some music in my helmet and Mike said the magic words, ‘Wind is steady at seven (knots),’ and I said, ‘Ok, let’s drop this baby down on the pad.’ When I stopped, I couldn’t (help) myself. I was running, I was shouting, and everyone was hugging each other.

“We landed a plane on the helipad on top of the Burj Al Arab. I have too many emotions to give you technical details. We landed a plane on a helipad!”

Patey modified Czepiela’s plane with the team from aircraft manufacturer Cub Crafters. He and the team made a number of modifications, reducing aircraft weight to 425 kg, moving the main fuel tank to the rear of the plane to allow for more aggressive braking, and adding nitrous to enhance power for Czepiela’s secondary challenge — taking off from the helipad.

“In the lead-up, our biggest challenge was reducing the weight,” recalled Patey. “Any mass in motion wants to keep rolling and if we couldn’t stop it, Luke would have bailed off the other side of the building.

“But a lighter plane also means wind throws it around more, and you have less control. In this environment — with a tall building sticking up next to the helipad — weird wind currents go over the top and around the side of it. So, we wanted some nice headwind to help the landing, but not too much. This was a truly unique challenge. It’s a love-hate thing.”

The second challenge of taking off in a space the size of a tennis court meant that Czepiela needed a low-weight, high-power output solution.

“We added nitrous tanks to get a lot of power without a lot of weight. This fuel speeds up combustion in the engine, pushing its cylinders to accelerate more quickly,” Patey explained.

“The Carbon Cub is the right aircraft for this project, but we needed the right person to fly it. And there are only a couple (of people) on this planet I would feel comfortable (to see) making this attempt. Luke is exactly that guy.”

Czepiela wanted to be a pilot since he was a child and now has a piece of history to sit alongside previous exploits, including landing on Poland’s Sopot Pier, the longest wooden pier in Europe.

“From the first arrival here at the Burj Al Arab almost two years ago, we set out a plan (for) how to do it, and now we’ve completed the plan, and everyone played their role exactly as scheduled,” Czepiela said.

“I feel awesome. There is no other word to describe it!”


Ronaldo, Mane and company don Saudi traditional attire for Al-Nassr Saudi National Day video

Ronaldo, Mane and company don Saudi traditional attire for Al-Nassr Saudi National Day video
Updated 9 sec ago
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Ronaldo, Mane and company don Saudi traditional attire for Al-Nassr Saudi National Day video

Ronaldo, Mane and company don Saudi traditional attire for Al-Nassr Saudi National Day video

 

RIYADH: Ronaldo once again takes center stage as Al-Nassr release Saudi National Day video filled with traditional dances, swords and garments.

Nassr fans were delighted to see their stars partake in the festive mood in the Kingdom as the club dropped a fun early morning video celebrating the occasion.

Saudi National Day is celebrated each year on the Sept. 23 and falls on a weekend this year.

The video mixes glimpses of the club’s past successes and history with its forward-looking revival, with some of the best players on the planet donning the famous yellow jersey in the past year.

The video begins with a group of youngsters gatecrashing the club’s headquarters in Tuwaiq and catching the first-team players getting ready for national day festivities.

In the 2 and half minute clip, Winger Abdulrahman Ghareeb and keeper Nawaf Alaqidi are shown preparing drums for the celebration.

Goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah shares some Arabic coffee with Otávio as the Portuguese midfielder gets a haircut for the occasion.

Talisca, the blonde-haired Brazilian attacking midfielder, is seen in the video taking measurements for head coach Luis Castro’s new white thobe.

Senegalese marksman Sadio Mane rests a sword on his shoulder as drumbeats resounding around him.

But it’s Ronaldo who takes center spot as he performs the Ardah with teammates Abdullah Alkhaibari, Mercelo Brozovic, and Sultan Al Ghanam.


Kapalua to host PGA Tour opener in January, 5 months after deadly wildfires on Maui

Kapalua to host PGA Tour opener in January, 5 months after deadly wildfires on Maui
Updated 22 September 2023
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Kapalua to host PGA Tour opener in January, 5 months after deadly wildfires on Maui

Kapalua to host PGA Tour opener in January, 5 months after deadly wildfires on Maui
  • The tour sent a memo to players Thursday that it will be back at Kapalua for the Jan. 4-7 opener
  • The wildfires killed at least 97 people, with at least 31 people still missing

NEW YORK: The PGA Tour is returning to Maui to start the new season with the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, five months after deadly wildfires destroyed nearby Lahaina and claimed at least 97 lives.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan had said last month he hoped the tournament could be a source of inspiration for Maui and Lahaina, about 10 miles away from where the PGA Tour has started its year since 1999.

The tour sent a memo to players Thursday that it will be back at Kapalua for the Jan. 4-7 opener. The tour previously had said Hawaii Gov. Josh Green told them to “go forward” with plans for the tournament and volunteer registration opened.

The wildfires killed at least 97 people, with at least 31 people still missing. It devasted Lahaina, destroying more than 2,000 structures and wiping out fabled Front Street that runs along the ocean and was a popular destination with its restaurants, shops and art galleries.

The property at Kapalua Resort was not affected, though a third of the staff who live in the Lahaina area lost their homes.

“Like so many around the world, we’re absolutely heartbroken,” said tournament director Max Novena, who lives on West Maui. “It’s a tight-knit community and we’ve experienced and shared compassion and generosity and aloha, and it’s been inspiring.

“Playing the Sentry in January is our responsibility and it’s a privilege,” he said. “We fully intend to use our platform to bring awareness, bring fundraising and community service to help West Maui and Lahaina rebuild.”

Green recently signed a proclamation that most of West Maui will reopen to visitors on Oct. 8. The area has some 11,000 hotel rooms, half of Maui’s total. The Bay Course at Kapalua opened on Wednesday, and the Plantation Course where the tournament is held is to open on Oct. 18.

Tyler Dennis, the tour’s chief competitions officer, said in Thursday’s memo that Green “has been emphatic in his support of our event and others.”

“There is no other organization in sport which rallies around those in need like the PGA Tour,” Dennis wrote. “Given the overwhelming support for playing the tournament, the tour and The Sentry are currently working on plans to further raise awareness and assist with fundraising and community service to Maui in a thoughtful and respectful manner.”

The tournament last year raised $694,705 that went to local charities, bringing the total to over $8.5 million since it became part of the PGA Tour schedule in 1999.

Wisconsin-based Sentry has made initial contributions to Maui United Way, Maui Food Bank and UH-Maui County, and Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa are among players contributing to relief efforts.

The Sentry Tournament of Champions, for years only for PGA Tour winners, now is for the top 50 from the previous year’s FedEx Cup along with any tour winner from 2023. Jon Rahm is the defending champion.


’We’ll see:’ Messi unsure about 2026 World Cup

’We’ll see:’ Messi unsure about 2026 World Cup
Updated 22 September 2023
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’We’ll see:’ Messi unsure about 2026 World Cup

’We’ll see:’ Messi unsure about 2026 World Cup
  • For now, Messi said he is focused on the 2024 US-hosted Copa America tournament
  • Messi reiterated his disappointment with not having received sufficient “recognition” at his former French club Paris Saint-Germain after holding aloft the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina captain Lionel Messi has said he is unsure about his participation in the next World Cup to be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada in 2026, when he will be 39.

“I don’t know if I will get there,” he told Argentine media personality Miguel Garrados in an interview broadcast on YouTube Thursday. “I don’t think about it yet because it is far away.”

For now, Messi said he is focused on the 2024 US-hosted Copa America tournament.

“After the Copa America we’ll see, it will depend on how I feel,” he said. “There are still three years left.”

Messi led Argentina to victory against France in the World Cup final in Qatar last December.

In the interview, he reiterated his disappointment with not having received sufficient “recognition” at his former French club Paris Saint-Germain after holding aloft the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He claimed he was the only one of his Argentine team mates “who got no recognition” from his club.

“It was not what I expected but I’ve always said that things happen for a reason,” Messi said of his Paris years, adding he “wasn’t well there.”

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner had already stated on numerous occasions that he was unhappy at PSG before moving to Florida to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.


Dupont’s facial injury mars France’s 14-try romp against Namibia at the Rugby World Cup

Dupont’s facial injury mars France’s 14-try romp against Namibia at the Rugby World Cup
Updated 22 September 2023
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Dupont’s facial injury mars France’s 14-try romp against Namibia at the Rugby World Cup

Dupont’s facial injury mars France’s 14-try romp against Namibia at the Rugby World Cup
  • The Rugby World Cup’s seventh highest score was marred by Dupont’s game-ending injury, after he was in a head-on-head collision with Namibia captain Johan Deysel in the 45th minute
  • The heavy-hitters who made the scoreboard this time included winger Damian Penaud with a hat trick, and winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, center Jonathan Danty and flanker Charles Ollivon who grabbed two each

MARSEILLE, France: A serious-looking facial injury to captain Antoine Dupont took the gloss off France’s highest ever score, a 96-0 romp against hapless Namibia at the Rugby World Cup on Thursday.

There were 14 tries, including a penalty try, and Thomas Ramos converted 12 of 13.

The Rugby World Cup’s seventh highest score was marred by his game-ending injury, after he was in a head-on-head collision with Namibia captain Johan Deysel in the 45th minute. Deysel was yellow-carded for the dangerous upright hit while Dupont walked off in distress. He left Stade Velodrome immediately for hospital scans.

“There’s a suspicion of a crack or fracture to his jaw. He’s gone for tests,” coach Fabien Galthie said. “We’ll wait for the (test) results before moving forward.”

Dupont will likely miss France’s last pool game against Italy in two weeks. The quarterfinals are in three weeks. Galthie will be second-guessed for leaving his best player on the field while the team was leading 54-0.

“How do you expect me to answer that? I can’t take 15 players off at halftime. We had planned to make changes to the rest of the team in the 55th minute,” Galthie said. “We’re always very concerned when a player goes off injured.”

France lost star flyhalf Romain Ntamack to a serious knee injury before the tournament and Matthieu Jalibert is a top-class replacement. But Dupont is considered the world’s best player, France’s inspiration, and irreplaceable.

Deysel’s yellow card was upgraded to red by a bunker review. By coincidence, Namibia’s only other Rugby World Cup red card was to Jacques Nieuwenhuis in 2007 also against France, which went on to achieve its previous record test score, 87-10.

The heavy-hitters who made the scoreboard this time included winger Damian Penaud with a hat trick, and winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, center Jonathan Danty and flanker Charles Ollivon who grabbed two each.

“The tries are anecdotal. We’ll remember today’s victory,” Penaud said. “Now we’ve found a bit of cohesion on the pitch, it bodes well for the future.”

The other try scorers in the Marseille mauling were lock Thibaud Flament, replacement scrumhalf Baptiste Couilloud, replacement fullback Melyvn Jaminet and a last-gasp penalty try.

Penaud’s try-scoring run extended to six games and gave him a national record 13 in a calendar year, beating Phillipe Saint-André’s record from 1995, and put him one ahead of Saint-André for Les Tricolores with 33 tries overall.

France extended Namibia’s tournament losing run to a record 25 games.

“It was a tough day at the office. A little bit humiliating,” Namibia coach Allister Coetzee said. “Our objective is still alive, to win a game at the World Cup.”

Namibia had an intercept try five minutes into the second half scratched off after the TMO showed Deysel’s collision with Dupont.

Les Tricolores opened the tournament beating New Zealand 27-13 and followed with an uninspiring 27-12 victory against Uruguay. That game drew criticism and so Galthié picked a full-strength side which had the four-try bonus point inside 20 minutes.

“We got outmuscled and outclassed by a quality French side,” Namibia hooker Louis van der Westhuizen said. “We’ve got a lot of local boys only playing (club) rugby in Namibia, so for them to play on a world stage like this in front of a crowd like this is massive.”

France’s two-week break will include time with families. Italy on Oct. 6 will offer Penaud a chance to overtake winger Vincent Clerc on 34 tries and move closer to France’s record-holder Serge Blanco on 38.

Namibia lost 52-8 to Italy and were overwhelmed by the All Blacks 71-3. They conclude against Uruguay in Lyon next Wednesday when they hope to end a record 25-game losing run at the tournament since 1999.


Liverpool fight back again to edge LASK on Europa League return

Liverpool fight back again to edge LASK on Europa League return
Updated 21 September 2023
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Liverpool fight back again to edge LASK on Europa League return

Liverpool fight back again to edge LASK on Europa League return
  • Romelu Lukaku earned last year’s beaten finalists Roma a 2-1 victory at Sheriff
  • Bayer Leverkusen crushed Swedes Hacken 4-0, Rennes cruised past Maccabi Haifa 3-0 in France, Spaniards Villarreal lost 2-0 to Panathinakos in Greece

PARIS: Liverpool fell behind for the fourth time in five matches this season but fought back to beat LASK 3-1 in Linz in the Europa League on Thursday.
Elsewhere in the early matches in the first round of the group stage of the second-tier European competition, Romelu Lukaku earned last year’s beaten finalists Roma a 2-1 victory at Sheriff.
Bayer Leverkusen crushed Swedes Hacken 4-0, Rennes cruised past Maccabi Haifa 3-0 in France, Spaniards Villarreal lost 2-0 to Panathinakos in Greece.
Liverpool, playing in the Europa League for the first time since finishing runners up in 2016, changed their entire starting 11 away to LASK and quickly fell behind.
In the 14th minute, Sascha Horvath lobbed a corner to Florian Flecker just outside the Liverpool box. The Austrian midfielder controlled the dropping ball before smashing a rocket shot past Caoimhin Kelleher in the Liverpool goal.
Darwin Nunez levelled with a 55th-minute penalty kick after Luis Diaz was brought down.
After 61 minutes, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp started to replace teenagers with regular starters.
Within two minutes they were ahead when Ryan Gravenberch burst down the right and crossed low for Diaz to score from close range.
Two minutes from the end Mohamed Salah, a second-half replacement, poked home a third.
In Moldova, Leandro Paredes scored four minutes into first-half injury time to give Roma the lead away to Sheriff.
Colombian Cristian Tovar levelled but Romelu Lukaku gave Jose Mourinho’s team a narrow victory.
In the Conference League, Aston Villa, returning to European competition after a 12-year gap, fell behind in the third minute to Legia Warsaw and despite equalising twice lost 3-2.
Pawel Wszolek met a cross from the left with a sliding volley to put Legia ahead.
Jhon Duran levelled after six minutes heading in a rebound after a Nicolo Zaniolo shot.
But the Poles regained the lead after 25 minutes when Wszolek crossed from the right and Ernest Muci scored on the half volley.
Lucas Digne levelled with a deflected shot from the edge of the box after 38 minutes but Muci settled the game with a low shot after 51 minutes.
Croatians Zrinjski Mostar came from three goals down to beat visiting AZ Alkmaar 4-3.
Myron Van Brederode, Sven Mijnans and Dani de Wit put the Dutch side three goals up by half-time.
Zvonimir Kozulj started the comeback after 48 minutes and ended it in the 81st minute, sandwiching goals from Josip Corluka and Aldin Hrvanovic.