The JURA CUP is probably the most traditional international control line competition in Europe. It has been organised by the Breitenbach model flying group at the 'Schwalbennest', the control line flying facility near Büsserach, Switzerland, for 50 years - alternating annually between the Aerobatics and Speed/Team Racing categories.

On the weekend of 22/23 June 2024, it was again the turn of Speed/Team Racing. A real spectacle was pre-programmed, as the fastest pilots in Europe were at the start.

This year's JURA CUP was a memorable event - not only because of the top performances on show, but also because of the extremely bad weather on Saturday, which led to constant interruptions and programme adjustments. Fortunately, however, the bad weather did nothing to dampen the good atmosphere at the event.

35 competitors from Italy, France, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Switzerland travelled to 'Schwalbennest' to compete in the control line racing categories Speed F2A, Speed F2G and Team Racing F2C. And what was particularly pleasing was that the fastest pilots in Europe took part in all three disciplines.

The speed specialists had three flights to complete over the weekend. The competitors in the F2A (models with traditional engines) and F2G (models with electric motors) categories took off one after the other. The big question was: Which propulsion systems could be used to fly faster? Until recently, models with electric engines were the fastest, but a recent rule change has reduced their speeds. After the three races, it was clear that the traditional engines have the upper hand again at the moment. Luca Grossi from Italy flew to victory in the F2A category with 297.7 km/h. Daniel Rota from Switzerland won the still young F2G category with 287.7 km/h.

The F2G competition was also categorised as the Swiss Championship. Daniel Rota won ahead of Guy Ducas and Toni Borer - all three members of the model flying club Breitenbach.

The heavy rain on Saturday did not make life easy for the team racers and the jury. Hardly a race went off without incident and the jury had to repeatedly consult the video recordings to decide whether to disqualify or reflight. As a result, the Team Racing flights on Saturday dragged on ... and the irony: just in time for the end of the races, the sun appeared for the first time. All the more reason for the competitors, helpers and guests to enjoy the lovely aperitif riche, which rounded off the turbulent Saturday in style.

Sunday brought the long-awaited improvement in the weather and allowed the races to go ahead as planned. In Speed this meant race 2 and 3, in Team Racing round 3, the two semi-finals and the final. The programme was therefore packed, the organisation was challenged and the spectators were able to enjoy non-stop top-class flying.

Das Team Racing final over 200 laps - twice as much as in the previous heats - is the highlight of every control line speed weekend. The three best teams from the semi-finals qualify for this event.

At the JURA CUP these were:
- Makarenko - Osadchyi, the reigning World and European champions from Ukraine
- Bondarenko - Lerner, the multiple former World champions also from Ukraine and
- Grossi - Rossi from Italy.

The spectacle began at 17:00: A super final with quick refuelling stops - until Igor Osadchyi missed the model on landing - and then there were only two teams left to finish the final. In the end, the winners were Grossi - Rossi from Italy.

With victories in Speed and Team Racing, Luca Grossi was the big champion of the racing weekend at 'Schwalbennest'. He was deservedly celebrated frenetically by the large Italian delegation.

The JURA CUP 2024 is now history. It was an exciting, turbulent weekend that required a lot of flexibility from everyone involved, but ultimately led to a happy ending and an unforgettable experience. This was mainly due to the tireless efforts of all the helpers. Many thanks for that!

And to everyone: See you again at the Schwalbennest!

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