TAMPA, Fla. — After more than a decade, the iconic Red Bull Flugtag event returned to the Tampa Bay area, featuring dozens of human-powered aircrafts taking flight over a 27-foot platform.
According to a press release, a total of 32 teams took part in the competition and were judged based on the creativity and design of their craft, showmanship of their skit and the total distance traveled.
After three hours of crowd-pleasing plummets and ascents, Team Flug Shag from Orlando landed first place with a remarkable flight distance of 51 feet and an Austin Powers inspired craft theme and costume. They will be getting an experience at the 2025 Formula 1 Grand Prix.
“We put a lot of hard work in, in a short amount of time and I think it paid off,” Flug Shag team member Matthew Winch said in a statement.
PHOTOS: 2024 Red Bull Flugtag
Jet ICU from Tampa was named second place with a 48-foot flight distance. Flying Spartans, also from Tampa, was in third place.
“This was one for the books! It was such an honor to represent the ladies alongside such an epic group of judges,” said Meagan Ethell, a pro wakeboarder who was a judge during this year's event. “All the teams put so much effort into their crafts. What impressed me the most was when a team didn’t just build a craft that could go the distance, but also went all out with their costumes and skit - especially when the skit matched well with the name.”