KIRBY Chambliss thrilled 40,000 spectators with his victory in the Red Bull Air Race World Series at Greenwich today (August 3).

The American defeated France's Nicolas Ivanoff in the final over the Thames after race favourite Paul Bonhomme hit a pylon and failed to make the final two.

This win means Mr Bonhomme's lead at the top of the championship has been slashed to two points at 38.

Mr Chambliss said: "It felt great out there.

"The conditions had smoothed out a bit so I was as aggressive as possible."

With just four races remaining in this year's competition Mr Chambliss's victory means the race for the title is now wide open.

Mr Chambliss said: "We're just gonna keep trying to go out there and win races.

"Paul is gonna be tough to beat. But it's a definite help where he finished.

"He can do that again, as far as I'm concerned."

"It's too bad for the Brits though as nobody wants to fall out in their home country."

The next race takes place in Budapest, Hungary, on August 19 and 20.