Aerobatics and Reenactments at the Idro 2010 International Competition

On Saturday, September 11, and Sunday, September 12, 2010, the 51st edition of the international radio-controlled model boat competition was held in Melano. Following the extraordinary success of the 2009 competition—which marked the event’s 50th anniversary and was held in a prestigious setting in the heart of Lugano—this year’s edition returned to the “Monte Generoso” campground, which has hosted the Lugano Model Aircraft Group (GAL) for this event for several years now. The competition took place over the course of two days, featuring the F3A-I (acrobatics) and Semiscale-I (scale models) categories. Representing the GAL were Renato Buzzi and Fabrizio Albonico, who set out to give the numerous expected German champions a run for their money, including Philip Rannetshauser (recent winner of the 2010 European Cup), Georg Thanner, and Ludwig Stork—all former winners of our local competition. In the Semiscale category, for the first time we had two competitors from Ticino at the starting line: Klaus Schillumeit (Piper Super Cub) and Moreno Bernasconi (Sopwith Pup), who delivered excellent flights and water landings.

The pilots competed in three launches for both categories, following the now well-established format and managed flawlessly by the organizers.

Signs of a strong showing by a Ticino competitor had already emerged at the European Cup in Bergamo, when—behind the two very strong Germans, Nils

Brückner and Philip Rannetshauser – Fabrizio Albonico achieved an outstanding 3rd-place finish, overcoming the challenge posed by renowned German competitors such as Georg Thanner and Ludwig Stork. On this occasion, Fabrizio managed to repeat his success, finishing in 2nd place and once again being beaten by the formidable Philip, who fully deserved the victory. Renato Buzzi’s 5th-place finish in the aerobatics category and the strong results from the Ticino pilots competing in the Semiscale category rounded out the GAL pilots’ outstanding performance. The third step of the podium was claimed by Georg Thanner of Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER). In the Semiscale category, the victory went to multiple champion Rolf Breitinger of Friedrichshafen (GER), who finished ahead of Andreas Bischel and Günter Hückl—the “usual suspects” who have dominated the European “hydro” scene for years. The race concluded to everyone’s satisfaction, with an invitation extended for the 2011 edition. The most dedicated enthusiasts in the sport then gathered the following week in Hagnau on Lake Constance for the 32nd international “Graupner Bodensee-Cup” competition. Here, the GAL swept the podium with Fabrizio Albonico, who—to great jubilation and satisfaction—took first place ahead of Georg Thanner and Martin Biller, capping off the 2010 hydro season with his first victory in an international competition. Numerous photos and comments on the events can be viewed on the Lugano Model Aircraft Group’s website at www.gal.ch.

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