1st FAI World Drone Racing Championships 2018 - Shenzhen (CHN) - Finals

The 15-year-old pilot beat 127 other drone racers from 34 countries to win the title and the prestigious FAI gold medal in a final race that was watched by tens of thousands of drone fans around the world. “It feels absolutely amazing,” he said afterwards. “I dreamed of this, and it is incredible that it has come true. I couldn’t be happier.” Browning, who went home with a prestigious FAI gold medal and a $24,000 US winner’s cheque, added: “I am a very competitive person and I aim high. “The goal was to win everything I could. A lot of luck comes into it, as well as skill, so everything came together and I am super happy.” In the other categories, Oscar Nilsson of Sweden won the Junior competition, 11-year-old Wanraya Wannapong, from Thailand, claimed victory in the Women’s event, and Team gold medal went to Australia. Susanne Schödel, Secretary General of the FAI, the World Air Sports Federation, said: “It was a pleasure to see so many competitors from around the world, lots of young people, competing over four days for the title of FAI World Champion. The FAI is also delighted to announce a new world record: Timothy Trowbridge of Switzerland set the first ever record for speed over 100m with a racing drone by hitting an average speed of 114.2382 km/h. A total of 128 pilots, including 44 juniors and 13 women, from 34 countries were in China this week for the first edition of the FAI World Drone Racing Championships, which ran from November 1 - 4, 2018. FAI Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded in four categories: Overall; Women; Junior; and National Teams (consisting of up to five pilots).

Overall
Gold – Rudi Browning (AUS)
Silver – Bastian Hackl (AUT)
Bronze – Karlis Gross (LAT)

Junior
Gold – Oscar Nilsson (SWE)
Silver – Qianti Hu (CHN)
Bronze – Rudi Browning (AUS)

Women
Gold – Wanraya Wannapong (THA)
Silver – GaYeon Mo (KOR)
Bronze – Ting Yu Chao (TPE)

Team
Gold – Australia
Silver – Sweden
Bronze – Republic of Korea