Arch’s triumph

Not only is Hannes Arch the first non-American to win the Red Bull Air Race overall, he’s also the youngest to do so by far. His development as a pilot took off even faster than his tally of races won grew. A chronology of an extraordinary Red Bull Air Race career.

‘I’m ecstatic to have the title!’ Hannes Arch said elatedly. ‘Also to be the best in any sport, is incomparable to anything I can think of!’ A third place in Perth in the final race was enough for the 41-year-old Austrian to win his first Red Bull Air Race world championship title. ‘It gives me a terrific sense of satisfaction because Bonhomme & Co. pulled out all the stops to beat me,’ Arch said. ‘And now all the deprivations I went through have finally paid off.’

Fresh start at 38

Included in the mentioned deprivations are minor matters like the beginning of a totally new life – and the complete surrender of the old ways at the Red Bull Air Race check-in. The aerobatic pilot, BASE jumper, paraglider and mountain climber was offered a ticket for the World Series in 2006. ‘From that moment on,’ Arch said, ‘I was going to fight day and night for this project. I would subordinate everything to this dream, without knowing whether I was even talented enough for the racing series or not. Whether I would ever really be able to compete with the best.’

False start at debut race

On April 6, 2007, Arch competed in his first ever Red Bull Air Race as reigning aerobatic freestyle European champion with very ambitious goals – and landed, on the one hand, in last place and, on the other, back on earth in a very sober state. ‘To be honest, I thought it was going to be easier,’ Arch says in retrospect. ‘At the time I had no idea how unbelievably high the standard of the Red Bull Air Race World Series really was. Abu Dhabi was frustrating, but it taught me the necessary respect for the sport.’

Strength in versatility

Arch did some stock-taking. It was possible, he admitted, that the competition had decades of flying experience on him. But to his credit, he alone had first ascents in Alaska under his belt, and had climbed 10/8b routes; he alone had a BASE jump from the Eiger North face and from the Matterhorn to his name; international parachuting and aerobatic titles as well. Arch recognized that his supposed weaknesses were actually his strengths: the ability to reinvent himself, to put his nose to the grindstone to solve unsolvable problems, and finally, to excel himself.

Best times in training; goof-ups in races

As early as his second race, Arch surprised everyone by coming fourth – which gave him renewed self-confidence. Consequently the Austrian flew over a changeable season, set antennae buzzing with continued top times in trainings, but made mistakes in deciding races. ‘The year 2007 was an important learning year,’ Arch said at the end of that season, ‘In 2008 I want to put what I’ve learned into practice.’

Duel with Bonhomme 2008

Arch did his homework; after the winter break he came back mentally and physically fit like never before – and also had some crucial details improved on his plane. The consequence: in Abu Dhabi Arch started the season in second place, only beaten by Paul Bonhomme. In Detroit he collected a podium once again, and in Budapest won his first ever Red Bull Air Race. Arch intentionally barbed his competition, now nervous, with rumors about the technical superiority of his machine. His new, more aerodynamic cockpit enclosure made him ‘three seconds faster,’ he boasted. Mike Mangold suspected that Arch had started a ‘money war’ – and in the race made drastic mistakes; likewise Paul Bonhomme, who had also become jittery. However Arch, who had already achieved more in the season than he had ever dreamed he would, stayed cool. ‘Paul can still win, but I’ve already won,’ he was quoted as saying before the last race.

Already congratulated by Bonhomme after the qualifyings

In Perth Arch only had to make a soft landing on the podium. His victory in the qualifyings was already enough for the title; his third place in the race simply rounded off the successful weekend. In 2008 Arch notched up a total of two wins, two second and four third places. After the celebrations he headed home straight away. ‘We can’t afford to have a break. We’ll start work on the development of the new Edge 540 for 2009 immediately,’ Arch explained. That ‘all the deprivations’ are worth it in the end Arch wants to prove both to himself and his competition once more next year.