Lithuania’s Donatas Pauzuolis defended his aeromodelling F3P indoor aerobatics title ©WAGDubai

Lithuania’s Donatas Pauzuolis claimed the first gold medal of the 2015 World Air Games after recording a perfect score to win the aeromodelling F3P indoor aerobatics event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Pauzuolis was seeking to defend his title from the 2009 edition of the Games in Italy and delivered a flawless display at the event, which was staged in the Dubai Mall ice rink.

The participants were awarded scores based upon nine different criteria, including flying style precision, variety of manoeuvres and synchronisation throughout their displays, with each competitor flying on four occasions.

Having received a top score of 1,000 points for each of his flights, Pauzuolis was the clear victor in the first medal event of the Games, ending with a total of 2,000, as two scores were discarded.

Slovenia’s Alan Goljevscek finished as the runner-up after his best two flights received a total score of 1,894.56 points from the judges, while America’s Devis McGrath earned bronze with 1,842.96.

“We have had the most excellent start to this competition,” said John Grubbstrom, World Air Sports Federation (FAI) President.

“We are thrilled to see the efforts put in by the local organisers led by Nasser Al Neyadi and Yousuf Al Hammadi in ensuring that everything is in order to stage the best Games ever in the history of the World Air Games.

“We had the best pilots in the very first contest of the Championship and we have seen how the gold medallist Donatas Pauzuolis has achieved a perfect score.”

The second day of competition will see six events contested
The second day of competition will see six events contested ©Facebook/FAI World Air Games Dubai 2015

With the first medals of the Games having been awarded, a rush of competitions are due to take place tomorrow with Skydive Dubai set to stage aerobatics powered and gliders events.

Additionally microgliders paramotors, paragliding aerobatics synchro, aerostats hot air airships and parachuting canopy piloting will also be contested.

The official Opening Ceremony is set to be held on Wednesday (December 3), to coincide with the 44th United Arab Emirates National Day celebrations.

The 2015 World Air Games Dubai is the fourth edition and it is estimated to have attracted over 1,200 participants from 56 countries.



Related stories
November 2015: World Air Games set to get off to a flyer in Dubai
June 2014: Dubai to host 2015 World Air Games