Those magnificent men in their falling machines: The bizarre air race where competitors launch themselves off a spring board

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQbDTxqnWHgendofvid
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By Mail Foreign Service

Split: The 'Avtomaksimom' team-mates seem to have their own ideas on how to fly furthest


It looks like the ultimate in whacky races.

Dressed in extravagant costumes and in the cockpit of even more eccentric aircraft, these inventors attempt to take off.

But without an onboard motor, they haven't got much chance.

Instead, the competitors plummet down into a river in Kiev, Ukraine, in the latest leg of the Red Bull Flugtag competition.

The contest, dreamed up by Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz, involves participants being pushed off a springboard mounted six metres above the water.

Judges then rate who has 'flown' furthest - but are also looking out for creativity and showmanship.

As most contestants simply plummeted straight off the springboard into the water, this is probably just as well.

The winner was competing for a trip to Lisbon, Portugal for the 'Red Bull Air Race.'

The second place winners get a trip to the Angar-7 aviation museum in Austria, presumably to brush up on their technique for next time. Third place gets a parachute jump for the team.


Incoming: This turtle doesn't seem too excited at the thought of a water plunge


Oops: The 'Cigar Juan' flying team falls into the water after taking off


Like a cow to water: The only way is down for this competitor


Going down: The 'Flying Sandals' team realise that their wings don't work


Three-way drop: The 'Inadequate Guys' team don't make much progress


Hold on: A Flugtag flyer brace themselves for what could be a bumpy landing


Sole survivor: Only one member of 'The Cossack' flying team stays on board
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