14 Oct 2024

Austrian Pilots Soar to Victory at 2024 FAI F3F World Championship for Model Gliders

The 2024 FAI F3F World Championship for Model Gliders in Limoux, France (6-12 October) saw an impressive display of skill and teamwork by the world’s best aeromodelling pilots. Austria dominated the competition, clinching top honours in both individual and team categories.

Lukas Gaubatz of Austria secured the individual championship title with an outstanding performance. France's Sebastien Lanes and Spain's Ignacio Elizondo Casado rounded out the podium, claiming second and third places respectively.

New World Champion Lukas Gaubatz (Austria)

In the National Team category, Austria’s exceptional showing continued, as they claimed the top spot. French pilots demonstrated their strength on home soil by taking second place, while Norway's performance earned the team a third position.

Organised by the French Aeromodelling Federation with the support of local authorities and sponsors, this event brought together 55 pilots from 19 countries, showcasing their skills in piloting radio-controlled slope soaring gliders.

With the guidance of the jury of the FAI Aeromodelling Commission, led by Tomas Bartovsky as the Jury President, and the efficient leadership of Contest Director Andreas Fricke, the stage was set for an unforgettable competition.

The organisers faced the additional challenge of navigating ever-changing weather conditions during the event. The pilots were tasked with competing on three different slopes, each with its own unique characteristics. This transition between the diverse terrains tested the competitors' adaptability and skill. In the end, a good number of rounds were completed, totalling seventeen.

The Championship concluded with a fitting celebration with the Awards and Closing Ceremonies in the enchanting ruins of the "Abbaye d'Alet-les-Bains".

FAI Aeromodelling Commissionb (CIAM) President Antonis Papadopoulos said: