RUSSIA-FLUGTAG/FLYING-CONTEST Crashes and success at Russian home-made aircraft flying contest

Record ID: 146021

  • Title: RUSSIA-FLUGTAG/FLYING-CONTEST Crashes and success at Russian home-made aircraft flying contest
  • Date: 28th July 2015
  • Summary: ROUBLE FLIGHT APPARATUS TAKING OFF, CRASHING
  • Embargoed: 12th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA7H0W4M74B50QE4BJRQ7FKTCVM
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Contestants in Moscow's Red Bull Flugtag contest were ready to crash and get wet on Sunday (July 26) as their home-made aircraft, in a variety of shapes from large animals and cartoon characters to representations of the U.S. dollar and Russian rouble, went plummeting into a river in Moscow.
    With little more than ambition, wing and prayers, contestants bravely climbed a high ramp and went running across a podium before they quickly came down.
    Flugtag may mean "flight day" in German, but all of these craft ultimately splash into the waters below.
    The contest brought costumed contestants from as far away as St. Petersburg and Tver to try their skills as aircraft designers and aviators.
    Teams built their flying apparatus with three criteria in mind: how far it will fly, and the creativity and artistry behind the design.
    On contest day, teams are also judged by a short performance on the takeoff ramp.
    Contestants showed their sense of humour when it comes to current affairs with apparatuses representing the Russian rouble and U.S. dollar cheerfully crashing down, as people wearing masks of President Vladimir Putin and America's Barack Obama sharing a friendly handshake.
    Alexei Sinitsyn, who wore a Putin mask, said his team hoped their low scoring points would be an indicator of the actual exchange rate.
    "Our team 'Dollar Good-bye' will today show how the dollar falls. Our apparatus represents a large dollar bill, which will be placed on that pile of 50 cent coins and with its president, Barack Obama, will set off to fly. How long this flight will be will predict the (exchange) rate of the dollar against the rouble in the nearest future. If it flies 100 metres then the rate will be 100 roubles for a dollar bill, if 10 metres then 10 roubles for a dollar. Today we hope for your support," said Sinitsyn.
    His team put on a show of having a man in an Obama costume throwing mock dollar bills at the crowds before hurtling toward the river as crowds cheered.
    Anastasia and Alyssa, two contestants from St Petersburg, said their apparatus was the sweetest among the groups, which reflected their mood.
    "The sweetest mood. Candy Boom is the most delicious sweet," said Alyssa.
    Anastasia said she hoped their participation would encourage youthful feelings among viewers.
    "To charge all viewers with an atmosphere of childhood. That is the most important thing," she said.
    Hundreds of spectators enjoyed the bright sunshine as all manner of aircraft careened towards the water and loud music played.
    Young Moscow resident Kristina said she was impressed with one apparatus entitled 'Kittens on Planes'.
    "I like the Kittens on Planes, it was simply cool," said Kristina. "I support Kittens on Planes, they are super!"
    The contest has run in Russia for 15 years, drawing large participation, with contestants coming up with increasingly exaggerated designs.
    The contest started in Vienna in 1992 and now plays out annually in more than 100 locations.
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