Get ready for high-flying fun! The Red Bull Flugtag returned to Cape Town's V&A Waterfront on Saturday, November 2nd, after a long hiatus since 2012. Thousands flocked to witness teams launch their homemade, human-powered flying machines off a high ramp and into the water below.
What is Red Bull Flugtag?
Flugtag, which translates to "flying day" in German, is a competition where teams showcase their creativity and engineering skills by designing and building fantastical flying contraptions. The goal? To achieve the longest flight distance while entertaining the crowd.
Judging Criteria:
- Creativity of the Design: How inventive and visually appealing is the flying machine?
- Distance Achieved: How far does the craft fly before splashing down?
- Team Performance: The pre-flight skit and overall showmanship of the team.
This year's event featured around 50 teams, ranging from groups of friends to corporate teams, each vying for the top spot. One such team, Flynecta from Durban, hoped their aeronautical skills and recycled craft would carry them to victory. The team, consisting of Subesh Deonarain, Charleen Naidoo, Munya Mtoko, Mo Sherriff and Kaylan Roopraj, aimed to entertain and achieve a flight distance of 10m.
Team pilot, Mo Sherriff, joked about his strict pre-flight diet, emphasizing the importance of a lightweight craft. The team incorporated recyclable materials like wood, foam boards, steel piping, and aluminum into their design, hoping to take flight at the V&A Waterfront. Professional dancer Kaylan Roopraj added a dance element to their performance, ensuring a memorable pre-flight skit.
Red Bull Flugtag Cape Town was a spectacular display of creativity, engineering, and sheer entertainment, proving once again why it's a must-see event.