After seven consecutive racing days at the 20m 2 Seat & Club Class Nationals in Temora, Australia, Sophie Curio was crowned the new Australian Club Class Champion. She flew her LS4a consistently, winning one day, taking second place on three days and third place, once. This was more than enough to put her at the top of the table, beating Jack Hart in his ASW20b into second place.

Curio is originally from Germany, and did her early flying at Lasham in the UK. She now lives in Queensland, Australia and will represent Australia in the 18m Class at the 13th FAI Women's World Gliding Championships in Zbraslavice, Czechia between 29 July - 9 August. 

Sophie Curio landing her LS4a at Temora

Australian Nationals

The tasks at the National Championships in Temora were between 300 and 500km each day with conditions ranging from weak blue days to a strong cumulus-filled sky for the final two races.

The 20m 2 Seat contest was won by Adam Woolley and Keith Gateley, who also flew for Australia in the 38th FAI World Gliding Championships in Uvalde, Texas in 2024. Speeds of up to 140 kph over 450km were achieved during the seven days of competition. Also flying in the 2 Seat Class were several previous Australian FAI World Gliding Championships competitors including Pete Temple, Bruce Taylor, David Jansen and former World Champion Brad Edwards.

Temora, in the New South Wales Wheat Belt, once again showed that it is a world class open soaring site with some of the strongest summer soaring conditions in the world.

Photos courtesy of Gliding News. Header image: new Club Class Australian National Champion, Sophie Curio on the grid at Temora Australia