TORRINGTON – The first-ever Torrington Tailslide AcroRodeo, held May 17, 2025, at Torrington Airport, drew an unprecedented crowd and showcased thrilling aerobatic talent from around the globe. With 34 competitors across five categories, including participants from as far as Saudi Arabia, the event marked a historic milestone as the largest regional aerobatic contest of 2025, so far.

The weekend kicked off with a lively gathering at the Open Barrel Brewing Company on Thursday. A fun night of karaoke, delicious food, and camaraderie.

Registration and the official practice were on Friday, followed by a pizza party sponsored by Open Barrel.

On Saturday, May 17, all competitors took to the skies for the KNOWN and FREE sequences, performing before an estimated 400 spectators – most likely the largest crowd ever recorded at a regional aerobatic event.

Miraculously, Mother Nature cooperated, with rainstorms skirting the airport to allow a full day of competition.

Despite the many successes, challenges arose. The Extreme Decathlon, flown by the Metro State University (MSU) team, affectionately dubbed “Triple Nickel,” faced battery issues that nearly sidelined the contest’s most-used aircraft. Additionally, eleven registered competitors, including six from the University of North Dakota, were unable to attend due to storms.

Unfortunately, an unfavorable forecast forced the cancellation of Sunday’s events, prioritizing competitor safety as storms loomed.

In a generous gesture, more than 50 prepared lunches were donated to Torrington DSI by the generous Bible Study group that provided all of the lunches for the contestants over the weekend.

First State Bank also sponsored a Wild West BBQ, delighting over 75 contestants, volunteers, and VIP guests.

On Sunday morning, the event celebrated outstanding performances across categories at the awards ceremony, with winners as follows:

PRIMARY

1st: Kaeden Cekosh

2nd: Liam Shetterly

3rd: Emma Lachman

(All MSU Aerobatic Team students, coached by Dagmar Kress and JP Thibodeau)

SPORTSMAN

1st: Spencer Elliott

2nd: Vincent Evans

3rd: Joe Chennault

INTERMEDIATE

1st: Wayne Forbes

2nd: Alex Tally

3rd: Chris Kleinhenz

ADVANCED

1st: Nick Slabakov

2nd: Brennon York

3rd: Mark Steward

UNLIMITED

1st place, Dick Fennell of Powell, Wyoming

Special honors included the Dean McClain Western Spirit Award, presented to Lea Butler-David for her kindness, helpfulness, and rodeo-inspired attire, and Jedda Lusk, named the 2025 Torrington Tailslide Rodeo Queen.

Commemorative posters, T-shirts, coffee mugs, and other memorabilia are available for purchase at Torrington Airport. More photos from the event can be viewed on X at The25Tailslide

Planning is already underway for the 2026 Torrington Tailslide AcroRodeo, set for Memorial Day Weekend. Sponsorship inquiries should be directed to Heidi Forbes at TorringtonTailslide@gmail.com.

The Torrington Tailslide AcroRodeo is a premier aerobatic competition celebrating skill, precision, and community spirit. It will be held annually at Torrington Airport, it brings together pilots, enthusiasts, and spectators for an unforgettable weekend of aviation excellence hosted by the IAC Chapter 12.