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From June, 16^th to June, 18^th 2023, Minsk was heartily welcoming participants in “Navigation-2023”, the International Shipmodeling Competition and Belarus Open Championship in Categories C and NS. This remarkable event attracted more than 100 (!) competitors from Belarus, Russia and Germany. The international referee panel had to evaluate 165 models in total, presented by beginners as well as eminent modelers...

► Protocol of the International Competition “Navigation-2023”

► Competition photo report

One of the distinctive features of competitions held under the SMSIF auspices is uniting starts in several model categories during a single event. This way, the event attracts more spectators, is more dynamic and exciting both for its participants and guests. “Navigation-2023” was no exception and it brought together Category C (static classes) and Category NS competitors (radio-controlled scaled models).

The static competition took place in DOSAAF Training Centre while navigation scale models competed at Lake Komsomolskoye. Thirteen teams from various cities and regions of Belarus and Russia (Belarus: Minsk and Minsk Region, Grodno Region, Brest Region, Vitebsk Region; Russia: Moscow, Kirovsk, Yaroslavl, Smolensk and Smolensk Region) and the German team participated in the event.

The current sports season showcased new and striking models from veteran modelers as well as DOSAAF Water Sports School students (Belarus), young competitors from “Smolensk” team (Russia) and other teams. The competition clearly proved that our young people are not afraid of difficulties. Models-copies of ships and vessels are particularly challenging as their construction implies possessing both specific knowledge and being able to work with different materials and technologies. But it is well worth it: such models follow all model building canons and stand out due to their special aesthetic qualities and meticulousness.

The competition was tough in C-2 Classes (models of ships with mechanical propulsion) where there were several strong Russian models; in C-6 (plastic models), C-7 (paper kit models) and C-8 Classes (kit models). The judges’ panel led by Dmitriy Kalmykov, the Chief Competition Judge, faced a serious challenge as they had to evaluate each model precisely and impartially and at the same time to take into account even the slightest construction nuances. Many models in these classes rightfully deserved the highest grade and were running “nose-to-nose”.

The competition gave the participants an opportunity to share their shipmodeling secrets and techniques with each other, to discuss their models – those brought to the competition and those which are still under construction.

Winners in static classes at “Navigation-2023” International Competition are:

• С-1/NSS Class (sailing ship models) – Mikhail Basin (Smolensk), TNC yacht (90.0 points);
• С-2 Class (models of ships with mechanical propulsion) – Vladimir Zhornik (Moscow) with his “Sovershenniy” corvette (97.33 points). The model is expertly executed and includes elaborate details. It is certainly worth highlighting “Poti” ship by Andrey Baburin (Russia) where many details and units are meticulously reproduced. Among them are rivets, the fire-extinguishing system and other “trivialities” whose reproduction requires both detailed plans and photos of the prototype ship. This model well deserved its 96.33 points awarded by the judges;
• С-3А/В Class – Vitaliy Makhorskiy (Minsk) with his admiralty model of “Najad” frigate (98.0 points). This model is extremely labour-intensive and can boast of superb hull construction;
• С-4В/С Class – Oleg Khotko (Minsk), “Svirepiy” guard ship (97.33 points);
• С-6А Class (plastic kit models, scales up to 1:500) – “Kongo” battleship by Oleg Khotko (99.33 points). The prototype itself – a Japanese battleship – is quite challenging. Besides, the model stands out thanks to the high execution level of its details and units. Its deck is planked which is a feat of diligence as the scale is 1:350. By the way, other C6-A models were also of fine quality: 5 models from this class were awarded with 95 points, 5 more with 90-94.67 points;
• С-6В Class (plastic kit models, scales 1:500 and smaller) – Valentin Karengin (Minsk), “Bismarck” battleship which won 98.0 points;
• С-6С Class (dioramas made from plastic kit models) – Aleksey Ukhanov (Russia), “Queen Elizabeth” battleship in the dock (94.0 points);
• С-7А Class – Ignat Yaroshenko (Minsk) with his “Hipper” battleship (98.0 points);
• С-7В Class – Ignat Yaroshenko (Minsk), “Viribus Unitis” battleship (95.0 points);
• С-8А Class (models of sailing ships) – Vitaliy Chernushevich (Minsk) and his “Phoenix” brigantine (96.67 points);
• С-8В Class (models of ships with mechanical propulsion) – Roman Shaffigulin (Russia) and his steam launch model (93.0 points).

As for F-2A scaled models-copies, Andrey Baburin was the definite leader in this class (“Smolensk” team, Russia). His total score is 193.83 points out of 200 (the most one could obtain). F-2A (Juniors) Class included 3 equally strong young competitors: Maksim Boda (Belarus) won 188.33 points thanks to flawlessly passing the water course, Nikita Abakumov (Russia) came right after him with 186.5 points and Nazar Poddubniy (Belarus) won 183 points. While Nazar was the last among the top three leaders in F-2A (Juniors) Class, he left his competitors far behind in another class (F-4В/С, Juniors) and gained 190.33 points. It is worth mentioning that M. Boda and N. Poddubniy are instructor sportsmen of Belarus national ship modeling team.

Models in F-4A Class (freely constructed models) were performing consistently well at the starts so the organizers had to arrange re-runs in order to determine the champions. As a result, Dmitriy Koipish came first among senior competitors in this class, and Maksim Boda was the best among juniors (both students of DOSAAF Water Sports School, Minsk).

As for radio-controlled sailing ship models (NSS-А and NSS-В Classes), gold medals went to Mikhail Basin and Daniil Prokopov, both from Russia. Marat Zhdanov, a junior competitor from Belarus, was the winner in NSS-D Class (sailing trimarans). His result was only slightly better than that of Olga Ermakova, from Belarus national team, who has regularly taken part in international competitions and is currently master of sports of international category.

The team competition results were distributed as follows: DOSAAF Water Sports School (Minsk) came first, then “Smolensk” team from Russia and third – “FSSR” team (Moscow, Kirovsk).

Well, the ship modeling season 2023 is afloat! The World Cup in NS and M Categories is not far ahead, and SMSIF has planned 6 more international ship modeling sports events. Fair winds and following seas!

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