The FAI Sailplane Grand prix team are delighted to announce the venues and dates for the 9th series of FAI/SGP events which start in January 2018 in Australia and culminate in a September World Final in Spain.

Nine bidders across three continents were successful in their application to host a National FAI/SGP event. The top two pilots from each National SGP will qualify to compete for the title of World Sailplane Grand Prix champion in the 9th World Sailplane Grand Prix final to be held at La Cerdanya in the Catalonia region of Spain.

The 2018 venues range from the beautiful mountain location of Varese in Italy to the warm tropic climate of Florida, from as far North as Borås in Sweden South to Horsham in Australia hosting the Australian FAI/SGP for the second year.

New SGP venues

Hungary

Hungary will host a national FAI/SGP event for the first time at  Szatymaz in the south of Hungary during June. Szatymaz is well positioned to take advantage of the excellent racing conditions that can be found in the central plain East of the Danube. 

Sweden

It is five years since Sweden hosted the FAI/SGP contest at Langtora and we are pleased to return to Sweden at the new and very exciting location of Borås Segelflygklubb. An ideal location for the pilots from Scandinavia to chase a place in an SGP final. Boras Segelflygklubb is the largest club in Sweden and we can expect some very exciting races over this lake and forest region of Sweden.

Poland

There have been several SGP contests in Poland but 2018 will be the first time an SGP contest will take place at Kielce Hosted by the Aero Club of Kielecki. The central southern region of Poland is exceptional in June and the location is perfect for sailplane racing. Although new to organising an SGP contest we are sure the enthusiastic team at Kielce will be ready to provide great race coverage.

Return to well-known venues

Australia

Horsham in Australia is the only 9th series venue in the Southern hemisphere, hosting a second SGP contest and planning make the contest an even more successful event than the 2016 Australia FAI/SGP

Italy

Varese already famous for the great SGP final held at the wonderful Calcinate airfield. This region of the pre alps North of Milan provides a great backdrop for the very competitive racing we expect from the talented pilots who regularly compete in the Italian SGP.

Russia

The 2016 Russian SGP was one of the most successful events of 2016 and we are really looking forward to returning to Usman for the 2018 contest. The sailplanes will all be Jantars and several are available for overseas visitors wishing to fly a grand prix in Russia. The great welcome and the wonderful race coverage will make the trip to Russia worthwhile.

Germany

One of the greatest soaring regions in Germany is the black forest and the airfield at Musbach is in a great position to benefit from the wonderful conditions of this region. The very experienced team at Musbach will be keen to build on the experience they gained in the 2016 German SGP.

France

Home for three previous SGP contests Rennes Saint Sulpice always surprises with excellent racing. Brittany has proved a surprisingly good location for the French SGP contest not only because of the interesting races but also due the excellent and very hospitable organising team.

United States of America

The first SGP contest in USA was at Ionia in Michigan, in 2017 they held an SGP contest at Seminole in Florida which attracted an even bigger following. Consequently we return to Seminole Glider port in March 2018. Soaring over northern Florida is a great experience enhanced by wonderful American hospitality. Sailplanes are available for pilots from outside the USA to rent locally and we look forward to the growing popularity of SGP racing in USA.