Drone racing fans saw thrilling action as drone pilots from 11 countries competed in Moscow, with Russia’s Belgorod team taking first place.
MOSCOW: High-speed action filled the skies as drone pilots from 16 teams representing 11 countries, including Australia, Germany, India, Spain and France, competed in an international drone racing competition at the Skolkovo Innovation Centre in Moscow.
Footage released by Viory showed pilots skilfully manoeuvring drones through complex obstacle courses at lightning speed, keeping spectators on edge. The event was part of the “Unmanned Systems: Technologies of the Future” forum, which also featured keynote speeches from experts across 30 countries, along with exhibitions and workshops.
Ilya Galaev, President of the Russian Drone Racing Federation, hailed the competition as a showcase of the sport’s rapid growth: “No one else conducts this competition except us. We are now promoting it around the world. I am confident this is the future of the most spectacular sport, which will reach the podium within the next 50 years.”
Competitors praised the scale and organisation of the tournament. German finalist Leon-Gabriel Schubert credited his team’s rigorous training, while Indian pilot Kruthart Mohan Chikmagalur called Russia’s team one of the strongest due to its long-standing experience. Spanish racer Hugo Lopez, on his first visit to Russia, praised the hospitality and support of local pilots.
The Russian Drone Racing Federation confirmed the final standings: the Belgorod regional team claimed victory, Moscow finished second, and the Leningrad region secured third place.
With drone racing’s global reach expanding, the competition proved how the skill and creativity of drone pilots is turning this emerging sport into a worldwide phenomenon.
