24 May 1914

A contest was scheduled for May 24, 1914 in Rio de Janeiro to awaken the enthusiasm of the Brazilian public for aviation. A Morane-Saulnier monoplane piloted by Lt. Ricardo Kirk competed against a Bleriot-Sit monoplane piloted by civilian aviator Ernesto Darioli. The race started from the Field of the Alfonsos and passed over several parts of the city. An accurate landing as close as possible to a six meter circle was required at the finish. Darioli abandoned the race due to the overheating of his engine and Lt. Kirk was declared the winner.