Watchmaker Oris has thrown its weight behind aerobatic "supergroup" the Immortals after the Chinese team the Fire Stars withdrew from the Australian International Airshow at Avalon.
Performing high-energy aerial routines, the Immortals are the stars of the US air show circuit. They replace the Fire Stars synchronised formation team previously sponsored by Oris.
The Immortals is made up of three aerobatic pilots of the highest standing: Lithuanian legend Jurgis Kairys, one of the world's leading female aerobatic pilots Melissa Pemberton and American Skip Stewart.
Kairys is among the masters of the international aerobatic circuit and is a winner of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Grand Prix. He pioneered many of the spectacular manoeuvres upon which modern aerobatics is judged.
His teammate Skip Stewart will fly an aircraft dubbed Prometheus, part Pitts Special, part Stewart’s own invention. He has flown more than 10,000 hours giving exhibitions around the world.
Rounding out the trio is Melissa Pemberton, one of the world’s leading female aerobatic performers and a highly accomplished flier in her own right. She is also a free flying skydiver with more than 300 base jumps to her credit and provides a positive example to young people, women in particular. She is also married to Australian wingsuit flyer Rex Pemberton.
Oris was to sponsor the Chinese-based Fire Stars formation aerobatic team which has been forced to withdraw from the event for logistic reasons.
According to the Swiss watchmaker, they chose to sponsor the Immortals because "the split-second timing and incredible precision, and world-wide reputation, of the awesome Immortals make them the perfect partner".
More information on Avalon 2015 is available on the air show website.