Day 3

A clear and warm day to start Day 3 of the 2024 FAI F3K European Championships for Model Gliders in Włocławek, Poland, and it was a perfect opportunity to take a group photo with officials and competitors.

Yet the summery mood changed as the ‘dogfight’ competition commenced; not even the ‘aces’ were sure to stay on top.

The wind – a ‘force of nature’ – changed as the rounds progressed, with team managers and helpers advising the competitors on how to optimise each flight. Nevertheless, the wind speed – which rose to 6 metres per second in the afternoon – punished some competitors who had underestimated its power.

Half-way through the competition and there was less than 4% difference between the top 15 seniors – everything still to play for!

Rank	Name	NAC	Score
1	HUCALJUK, Arijan	CRO	11984,6
2	MERLIJN, Vincent	NED	11831,3
3	KOENIG, Paul	GER	11749
4	JANAS, Cezary	POL	11748,5
5	COLLIN, Steeve	FRA	11680,7
6	FLIXEDER, Bernhard	AUT	11660,6
7	SIUMBRYS, Adas	LTU	11611,8
8	ROTTELEUR, Anthony	FRA	11554,1
9	BRATRSOVSKY, Ivo	CZE	11541,4
10	SANDER, Henri	GER	11541,4

The juniors have also been battling it out with a vigour that has matched the weather conditions. The 13 participants have been putting in some impressive performances, giving it their all to match the seniors.

Current standings across both have been equally remarkable, no-one has been able to make predictions for the finals.

Rank	Name	NAC	Score
1	HUCALJUK, Arijan	CRO	11984,6
2	MERLIJN, Vincent	NED	11831,3
3	KOENIG, Paul	GER	11749
4	JANAS, Cezary	POL	11748,5
5	COLLIN, Steeve	FRA	11680,7
6	FLIXEDER, Bernhard	AUT	11660,6
7	SIUMBRYS, Adas	LTU	11611,8
8	ROTTELEUR, Anthony	FRA	11554,1
9	BRATRSOVSKY, Ivo	CZE	11541,4
10	SANDER, Henri	GER	11541,4

DAY 4

After heavy rains and a ‘greeting from Thor’ at the end of day 3, it was unsure whether day 4 of the competition would proceed.

However the overnight storms subsided by 8am, the weather turning out more mild than on day 3. With rainy outbreaks threatening to shorten the competition, competitors are hyper aware that every round counts.

• Competition website
• Competition Facebook page
• 2024 FAI F3K European Championship for Model Gliders in Włocławek - days One and Two

Photo credit: Izabela Krawczyk