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The major international shipmodeling event, Navigation-2025, took place in Minsk (Belarus) from 12 June to 15 June 2025. The competition also included Belarus Championship and Junior Championship among static C models and radio-controlled NS models. In total, 15 teams from Belarus, Russia and Germany participated in the event, meaning 119 competitors (both senior and beginner juniors) bringing 194 models to the Belorussian capital city…

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The best represented were C-2 Class (models of ships with mechanical propulsion), C-4 Class (miniature models, scale under 1:250), C-6A Class (plastic kit models) and C-7A Class (paper kit models); among NS models the most popular were F-2А, F-2В/С, F-4А, F-4С, NSS-А Classes.

Interestingly, the starts among radio-controlled models were predominantly won by Russian competitors (with occasional exceptions). However, modelers from Belarus gained the lion’s share of medals in static classes. While the competition in C-1 Class was rather weak, another C-2 Class – was represented by 32 participants which is more than is usually seen at World Championships. Here, several top-class models were competing, which were awarded over 95 points. These belong to Russian modelers Nikolay Rumyantsev, Artyom Krashevnikov and Vladimir Zhornik.

A recent newcomer among miniature models in С-4А/В Class, a Mary Rose carrack by Alexey Kutovenko (Belarus, 95.33 points), drew a lot of attention. The 1:250 scale demanded special meticulousness when processing the wood. The model is executed at a highly professional level, and its author successfully managed to represent the sailing boat construction in detail and to authentically recreate its cordage and rigging.

Another pleasant surprise was Valentin Karengin’s series of German fleet ships (97.67 points; Minsk, Belarus). The models have been thoroughly built and stand out due to their high quality. The 1:700 scale exposition includes a “pocket-size” battleship model and two submarines.

Paper kit models in С-7А, С-7В and С-7С subclasses were presented for the most part by junior competitors. And little wonder as young modelers start working with cardboard aged 10-12 and gradually develop their skills and expertise, thus creating fairly interesting ship models.

As for С-6С and С-7С Classes, here dioramas and rows of model are becoming increasingly popular. Vladimir Zakruzhnoy’s diorama with his “Askold” cruiser gained 87.67 points (Belarus, Rechitsa). The work has been presented at the competition for the first time and well deserved its praise and attention due to its execution level and general overview of the composition.

The starts of radio-controlled models-copies took place at Komsomolskoe Lake. The weather was quite unsteady, both windy and rainy but its attempts to hinder the competition were to no avail! The races ran strictly according to the schedule and many participants demonstrated excellent results.

The competition was particularly tough in F2-A and F-4A Classes. F2-A Class comprised 18 modelers with “Sysoy Velikiy” battleship (Artyom Krashevnikov, Russia) leaving other competitors far behind. The gold-winning model was awarded 196.0 points, with 100 points won at the starts - all despite the stormy weather!

A hundred points at the starts are certainly coveted by everyone but in the united F2-B/C Class two modelers managed to achieve that goal – Alexey Boda (Belarus) and Nikolay Rumyantsev (Russia). The top place in F2-B/C Class was thus awarded to Nikolay Rumyantsev and his “Soznatelniy” destroyer. His outstanding final score (199.0 points out of 200 max.) was secured by the high static evaluation result.

Another class, F-4A, comprised 40 (!) participants and the leader among them was Alexander Maltsev (Russia) with his РТ-109 torpedo boat. His score was 100 out of 100!

The starts of radio-controlled sailing ship models (NSS Classes) also took place during the very first days of the competition. The participants had to compete in heavy rain but it only added more drive into every race! The well-deserved and hard-won victory belongs to:

• NSS-A Class – Marat Zhdanov (Minsk), “Alinghi III” yacht (186.13 points);
• NSS-D Class – Kirill Lukyanenko (Minsk), “Banque Populaire VI” trimaran (183.27 points).

In Belarus, NSS is a relatively new shipmodeling branch which is currently developing led by Yuri Ermakov, coach at DOSAAAF Water Sports School. One of the most promising competitors is Marat Zhdanov,a 12-year-old modeler, who managed to come ahead of senior and more experienced modelers in NSS-A races. This rapid dynamic is due to Marat’s hard work and perseverance: the young modeler is present at each and every Belorussian competition and also participates in most Russian shipmodeling events. This active position facilitates honing the modeler’s sport expertise level.

As for the team competitions, here, the first place was taken by DOSAAF Water Sports School whose backbone is made up of Belarussian national team members. The second place belongs to the team of the Federation of Ship Modeling Sport of Russia. The third place went to Minsk city team.

Navigation-2025 International Competition is a major stepping-stone to the preparation for the World Championship which is to take place in Russian Kolomna (Moscow Region), from 20 July to 28 July this year.

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