FAI Gliding Commission (IGC)

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.

Between May and July 2024, six qualifying FAI Sailplane Grand Prix events took place in Chile, Norway, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and France. Tasks were successfully completed in all six despite some difficult weather conditions. Congratulations to the 12 qualifying pilots who will shortly receive their invitations to compete in the 12th final at St Auban, France scheduled for 24-30 August 2025.

Polish gliding legend Sebastian Kawa is the latest recipient of the prestigious FAI Gold Air Medal at the 2024 FAI Awards Ceremony. Attendees at the glittering event, held yesterday as part of the 118th FAI General Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, watched FAI President David Monks and and SAC General Supervisor Dr. Ahmed F. Alfahaid present the award to Kawa in recognition of his great contribution to aeronautics.

The FAI World Gliding Championships returns to Uvalde, Texas on 17 August 2024 for the 38th edition of this prestigious competition. This is the fifth time the world’s premier gliding event will be held in the United States, and the third time in Uvalde, renowned for its outstanding gliding conditions: daily task lengths of over 500 kilometres and achieved winning speeds approaching 160 kph are regularly achieved here.