Italy’s Durogati emerges winner at Hike and Fly International Championship

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Italy’s Aaron Durogati clinched the title of the second edition of the ‘Hike and Fly’ International Championship, organized by the Emirates Aerosports Federation under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

The championship consisted of five rounds and was held in three Emirates: Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah.

Durogati succeeded in winning the top position in the fifth and final round in the Hatta mountains. This marks his fourth time securing the first-place position.

Colombia’s Sebastian Ospina secured the second position, followed by Japan's Remy Bourdelle in third.

In the overall championship standings, the Swiss pilot Lars Merzitter claimed the second position, with his compatriot Nicola Heringer in third.

The French pilot Remy Mobih finished fourth, followed by his compatriot Daimen Lacaz in fifth.

In the women's category, the Austrian Pauline Muller took the first position, followed by her compatriot Eli Eiger, and then the Italian Melina Vanci.

In the amateur category, the Lebanese pilot Milos Dau topped the fifth and final round, followed by the Iranian Mohsen Mansouri in second place, and the South African Ben Hudson in third.

In the final championship standings for amateurs, Mansouri secured the title, followed by the South African Ben Hudson in second, and the Lebanese Milos Dau in third.

After the conclusion of the final round in Hatta round, Yousef Al Hammadi, Vice President of Emirates Aerosports Federation and Director of the Organizing Committee, Mohammed Youssef, Secretary General of the federation, Salem Salmeen, Chairman of the Glider Committee, Abdullah Murad, head of the preparation and logistical support committee, and Yousef Al Shehhi, chairman of the public relations committee, Faisal Al Hammadi, crowned the winners of the championship.

Dr. Hashel Al Taneiji, Chairman of the Sports Medicine Committee at National Olympic Committee, and Buti Ahmad Al Abdouli Head of Sports Federation Affairs for National Olympic Committee were also present on the occasion.

The Emirates Aerosports Federation expressed gratitude to Sheikh Hamdan for his support of air sports in general and the championship in particular.

Nasser Hamouda Al Neyadi, president of Emirates Aerosports Federation, stated that without Sheikh Hamdan’s support the event wouldn't have achieved such technical and organizational successes.

Neyadi expressed his happiness with the successes achieved in the Hatta round, praising the efforts of the organizing committee.

He credited the spirit of teamwork for these achievements and thanked the Hatta Hotel for hosting the event and providing excellent facilities. He also extended his thanks to Amer Ghanem, the General Manager of Hatta Hotel.

Dr. Taneiji praised the thrilling performances, expressing his delight at attending the event in Hatta for the first time.

He expressed gratitude and appreciation to the organizers for their efforts in making the event a success.