du takes to the skies with French veteran pilot Nicolas Ivanoff

As a result of a new partnership between du as the UAE official telecom partner and the Red Bull Air Race World Championship, du is sponsoring French pilot Nicolas Ivanoff at the season opener in Abu Dhabi. This new partnership agreement - announced at a press gathering in Abu Dhabi where Ivanoff’s plane was revealed for the first time sporting the du logo - will enhance the competition in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, as Ivanoff is one of the pilots running for the title after his outstanding performance. Ivanoff also has an eye on the Abu Dhabi Red Bull Air Race title. 

 

“The Air Race event at Abu Dhabi marks the beginning of our valued partnership with Red Bull and we are excited to be bringing this important and internationally renowned sporting event to the UAE, adding a bit of enjoyment and fun to the lives of everyone. We invite everyone to go out and witness the finest in aerobatics, right here in Abu Dhabi.“commented Hala Badri, EVP Brand and Communications, du. 

 

The Frenchman who ranked third at the Abu Dhabi Red Bull Air Race last season following British Paul Bonhomme and Austrian Hannes Arch, will put extra efforts this year to score championship points at the season opener held on March 26 and 27 over the Abu Dhabi Corniche under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and with the ongoing cooperation of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

 

Ivanoff, nicknamed the "The Quick Corsican", is an instructor at Corsica’s famous ‘Corse Voltige’ flying school. Thoroughly French despite his Russian and Greek heritage, Ivanoff is nevertheless the antithesis of a hot-blooded Corsican. The 42 year-old expressed his joy regarding the new agreement with du and confirmed to be up to all expectations and said he will use his long flying experience to win the Abu Dhabi race. "The Quick Corsican", who established himself as a bonafide title contender, with his victory in San Diego and podium-filled first half of the 2009 season, ended 5th overall at the World Championship, only 3 points behind Matt Hall from Australia, the best result in Ivanoff’s career in the Red Bull Air Race. 

 

As per the new sponsorship agreement, Ivanoff will fly an Edge 540 aircraft with a roll rate of 420 °/sec, bearing du’s logo at the season opener in Abu Dhabi. 100000 spectators are expected to gather at the Abu Dhabi Corniche to watch the Red Bull Air Race action offered by 15 of the world’s best pilots flying at speeds exceeding 370 km/h in one the most challenging tracks.