The 2013 FAI European Championship for Model Rocketry Seniors and Juniors by appointment of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) took place from August 24th to August 30th in Kaspichan, Bulgaria.
This is the sixteenth competition at the European level and was attended by 17 countries including the United States, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine.
Competitions in Model rocketry began in 1965 between Poland and Czechoslovakia. On May 28, 1966 the first international contest was attended by Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, German DR, Poland, Romania, U.S.A. and Yugoslavia. Competitions were in payload altitude, parachute duration and boost glider duration. The first European SM Championship was organized in Lleida (Spain) in 1979.
During the three days of intense competition the Ukrainian team was able to show that they can compete at the international level. The second day of competitions was the most successful for them where they earned 3 gold and 2 bronze medals in individual and team competitions. They also won one more silver medal on the third day.
Ukraine took first place in the team and individual competition for height class S1B. For personal competition, Ukraine’s Paul Vysotsky was able to reach a height of 700 meters for the gold, leaving behind Mazzarachchio Antonio of Italy and Paul Krasnov of Russia who took second and third places respectively.
In the individual competition Alexander Golovin, also from Ukraine, took first place in the S6A class Championships with Luke Volarevich of Serbia and Kaloyan Dimitrov of Bulgaria trailing closely behind.
In the team standings Ukraine’s junior team took 2nd place in the S8D class and also took the bronze medal in the S8D class. The S6A class junior team from Ukraine was also able to place, taking third place. Finally Sergei Shuljak from the Ukrainian team won a bronze medal in the S3A class.
Noosphere is a proud supporter of amateur rocketry in Ukraine and is excited when the Ukrainian team distinguishes itself internationally in this highly skilled sport. According to the decision of Aeromodelling Commission of International Aeronautical Federation (FAI) Ukraine will host the European Championship for space models in 2015. We wish all our competitors good luck at these competitions as well!