Seems the only screw up was by the organisers .... wonder if all the helo guys will get free tickets in compensation ??
HELICOPTERS NOT TO BLAME FOR FIREWORKS CANCELLATION
Sunday Oct 12, 2003
The Australian Rugby Union says checks on the circumstances surrounding a
fireworks segment of Friday's Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony have
indicated all helicopters were correctly positioned when a decision was
taken not to launch a batch of pyrotechnics.
ARU Managing Director John O'Neill says an array of helicopters had taken up
safe positions for the "kicking kid" segment but the correct judgment call
was made to err on the side of caution.
"The helicopter pilots are professionals and did their job. However the
pyrotechnicians also have a duty of care and were not 100% certain the
airspace was clear. At the end of the day three shells were not launched in
what was a small part of a very successful and well received opening
ceremony.
"The suggestion that a helicopter interfered with the show is incorrect. Our
apologies to all the pilots involved - they did their job professionally and
had taken up positions in a coordinated fashion at a safe distance."
Strath Gordon
Head of Media and Communications