TAMPA, Fla.– After 13 years, the Red Bull Flugtag returned to Tampa Bay once again.
After a record-breaking 220 applications to compete, 32 teams spent their Saturday soaring into the Bay with their human-powered aircraft.
Mel Brummette, the Red Bull Pilot, also known as “the mom-mager” has been handling all the applications from when they were submitted, to when they arrived at the scene.
“Tampa really showed out,” said Brummette.
She said they looked for teams that were from the community and wanted themes that matched the city the event was in.
“It came down to theme and how much effort they put into their idea,” said Brummette.
Due to the area at the Tampa Convention Center, they had to shrink the wingspan down from 22 to 18 feetin width.
Brummette said she loved to see all the Florida themes from WWE to Jimmy Buffet and wanted the event to bring “great vibes” after the tragedy from back-to-back hurricanes.
The winning team received tickets to the 2025 Formula 1 Miami Grand Pix.
The winners were determined based off their creativity and design of the aircraft, showmanship of their skits, and the distance they were able to travel.
The panel was made up of Andrei Vasilevskiy, Derrick Brooks, Megan Ethell, Turner “Tfue” Tenney and Twan Kuyper.
Before they could compete, the contestants arrived at the Tampa Convention Center Friday morning for final builds, with one team even traveling from South Carolina.
They created an aircraft inspired by a spoonbill. Connor Rucker, one of the five teammates, said they were cutting the feathers as they drove their U-Haul to Tampa.
“We spent about a week so far putting it together, was a little rush but we hope it will do good,” said Rucker.
Rucker said they drove for 11 hours to make it to the event.
“We used a lot of foam and fiber glass. We used whatever was lightweight to create this spoonbill,” he said.
Rucker said they been watching the event for years and when they heard it would be in Tampa they applied.
They scored a 9, 8, 8, 8 and 7.
The Univeristy of Tampa had two teams competiting.
Logan Hayward, Univeristy of Tampa student, said he submitted his application in June.
Him and his teammates were inspired by the Spartan mascot.
“Just looking to have fun and have a good time,” said Hayward.
There was a team from Daytona Beach and one all the way from California.
Multiple participants said this event helped them after facing the back to back hurricanes.
One team called the Joog Squad build thier craft in honor of the community support from the hurricanes.
Their team board said, “Falcon 69 inspired by the beauty that our community showed durring Hurricane Helene and Miltion. #FloridaStrong.”
When Saturday arrived, the streets filled with spectators ready to watch these crafts fly.
Spectators got to enjoy a lot of free Red Bull and other gifts that were being handed out on the streets.
Brian Bobowski, a spectator from Virginia, said he drove all the way here to experience the event.
“You couldn’t tell that hurricanes just hit this place. Everyone is smiling and having a great time. Its beautiful to see,” said Bobowski.
After walking around the teams, he was rooting for the Polk County Hillbillies because they were fun and were linemen.
“They were a great time to watch and that is why I want them to win,” said Bobowski.
After of hours of competitng in the hot sun, the winners were announced.
- First place- Flug Shaf from Orlando Fla.
- Second place- Jet ICU from Tampa, Fla.
- Third Place- Flying Spartans from Tampa, Fla.
- People choice- JoogSquad from Indian Rocks, Fla.