Université de Sherbrooke was crowned champion at the Unmanned Systems Canada UAV Student Competition in Southport this weekend.

Team spokesperson Charles Alexis Carrier says an incredible amount of hard work went into winning the competition.

"It's very great. I think we did very, very hard work over the last year. Last few months we've been flying every week, in January we were flying in minus 20 degree weather, minus 30 degrees. No problem, were out flying. Our batteries keep freezing, but we keep flying."

Université de Sherbrooke's set up on Sunday

Simon Fraser University took second, while Concordia UAV came in third. Southport's Manager of Business Development Deanna Mitchell says it was a great weekend.

"It was better than expected. We had great weather, we had a great team organizing it, and we had even better teams participating. So I couldn't have asked for anything better."

Unmanned Systems Canada Chair Mark Aruja says it's really energizing to see the students working together.

Aruja (left) Mitchell at the podium

"You watch this generation of those who are going to create the future, and you're helping to watch them do that. So there's a whole lot of technology here, but there's a lot of other creativity, teamwork, leadership, and they're working on problems that are actually going to make a difference in the world."

Also handed out at the banquet was the Innovation Award which went to Carleton University.