Felix Herold: Winner of the First Bitterwasser Cup on WeGlide
Jens Kammerer
·
Story
·
Congratulations on winning the 2025 Bitterwasser Cup, Felix! Had this competition been on your mind since the beginning of the year?
Honestly, at the start of the year, I don't really focus on competitions. I mostly try to make the most of each flying day, and then at the end of the year, I "settle up" and see where I stand. Of course, I knew that I might have a chance at the Bitterwasser Cup at some point. But it only became clear to me that it would actually happen this year right at the end.
You won by a margin of over 900 points. What role did your flights in the Förder-Nimbus EP play?
It was quite balanced. About half of my major flights were completed with the Nimbus, and the other half with a Discus 2b from the club.
Were there flights for which the Nimbus was particularly well suited?
Definitely. The 2000 k flight in particular would have been difficult to impossible without that performance. For my 1100 k FAI Triangle, the conditions with many long glides were tailor-made for the Nimbus. The fact that I could always use it, without any availability issues with the club gliders, was also very valuable this year. At this point, a big thank you again to the Gliding Promotion Association (Segelflug Förderverein) for the opportunity!
Joshua Rieger
Can you tell us a bit about your other flights?
I'd be happy to. The other three scoring flights were completed in the club's Discus 2b. Two of them were successful during a very good weather window at the end of April/beginning of May. I declared over 900 km three times in a row—twice as a quadrilateral and once as a triangle. The triangle flight stands out in my memory as the most beautiful from that period. But it was incredible how well, and how long, it went so early in the year; it was really fun.
And the third scoring flight with the Discus 2b?
That was a 950 k declared flight. However, it was during a different weather pattern at the end of May. It was predicted to be quite good, but I was unsure how early the launch would succeed. Since I already had the three big flights from spring "in the bag," I had to declare a longer distance anyway, and the next step was a 950 km quadrilateral. I took off first, and the first thermal already gave a good meter and a half. Despite this, the first half of the flight was very tough and exhausting. The south side, however, was bombastic, with a great cloud base, and the day was also long enough that I was able to successfully complete the task.
Four of your flights involved a declaration of at least 900 km. What motivates you to fly tasks?
That’s what gets me extremely "itchy" about flying. I’m just competitively wired and always need a goal in sight. I find it incredibly fun to tailor my flight tactical decisions to the turnpoints and actively work toward them. And it’s simply an indescribable feeling to nail the last turn on a big task and come home—a real sense of accomplishment.
That’s why I try to set a task for myself on every flight. I can then maximize learning from the flight, compare my assessment of the day with reality, and ultimately get better.
All five scoring flights were launched from your home airfield, Königsdorf. What made the Alps a game-changer this year?
The Alps were excellent this year, no doubt. But the weather systems during which I made my flights were not so clear-cut or easy. Not everyone was flying such distances there. I think this year a lot of things just clicked for me personally. After the 2,000 km flight, I somehow got into a flow, and I was able to carry that momentum into all my later flights. It started with the fact that after that crazy Foehn flight, I immediately wanted to get back in the cockpit. It didn’t even occur to me to rest on the 2000 k fame; I wanted to continue and max out the year's thermal days too.
Have you always flown in Königsdorf?
No, my flying history began elsewhere. I originally learned to fly and got my license in Brannenburg, a small airfield. With the urge to fly longer distances, I then switched to Vogtareuth. During my year as a sport soldier, I was also in Königsdorf more often, which is ultimately where I moved.
What conditions/features make Königsdorf the most sought-after gliding center for Alpine soaring?
First and foremost, it's the "cross-country mentality" that prevails there. It’s very noticeable and fueled by virtuosos like Mathias Schunk, Johannes Beyer, and Benjamin Bachmaier. Practically, this manifests in price lists for gliders optimized for cross-country flying, various support and funding, and, of course, the invaluable, constant exchange before, after, and during the flight. Additionally, there are a lot of people in Königsdorf, with six clubs. That means many pilots, including many tow pilots. This is a huge benefit for my flight planning, especially during the week.
Let's talk about your prize: 10 days in Bitterwasser, made possible by the Bitterwasser Lodge & Flying Centre. How do you prepare for a stay in Bitterwasser?
I only recently got the call, so I’m still in the middle of my planning and preparations. I still need to get my self-launching endorsement and the Level 4 English language proficiency certificate, and also acquire some equipment.
What are you most looking forward to?
I would absolutely love to zoom along under one of those shower convergences at 5,000 meters. That image always pops into my head when I think of Namibia. I’m also excited about the atmosphere and the impressions I'll gather in Bitterwasser outside the cockpit. I'd love to see a giraffe in the savanna; maybe you can even spot them from the glider there.
What are your goals in Bitterwasser?
I definitely don't just want to fly "Yo-Yo" flights (short out-and-returns). If possible, I naturally want to set up big triangles there and max out the days, but all within reason. First, I need to get to know the area. I think there are some peculiarities that make good instruction important.
What do you think of the fact that juniors across Europe can participate in the Bitterwasser Cup?
I believe it can lead to more networking among young European glider pilots. We can definitely be excited to see what flights there are and which launch sites emerge. Overall, it's a cool contribution to the international community.
To end our talk, here's a little exercise for you: Assume you want to fly towards P. How do you encounter the next clouds?
In the first picture, over the flatlands, I'd fly toward the small cloud, then perform a left-right zigzag to 'milk' the lift line. If in doubt and with no wind, I would always fly toward the bigger cloud, but more centrally, on the sunny side.
In the picture on the right, I would initially keep flying toward 12 o'clock and approach the two clouds centrally on course. If there's a good thermal underneath, I'd circle before crossing the valley, but otherwise continue toward P.
Thank you very much, Felix! We wish you an unforgettable time with fantastic flights!
If you would like to receive articles like this directly via email, you can sign up in your profile.
