JWGC 3rd Day of Competition Challenging Conditions at the World Championships

The 14th Junior World Gliding Championship at the Elchingen airfield got off to an ideal start with three consecutive days of competition. Despite intense heat, challenging thermals, and nighttime thunderstorms, the young pilots were able to complete their competitions on all three days. This is rarely the case at gliding championships and serves as a major success for the organizers.

As early as 8 am on Wednesday morning Sports Director Bernd Schmid informed the teams via WhatsApp that it was time to begin setting up the gliders. Although thunderstorms had swept across the Ostalb region surrounding Elchingen on Tuesday evening and overnight, an early assessment of weather data from the German Weather Service made it clear: The third competition day could take place.

“The first days of competition demanded everything from the participants from all over the world. Extreme temperatures, challenging thermals, and the first out of field landings put their flying skills to the test. “A World Gliding Championship is always nerve-wracking. Three consecutive competition days are excellent for the atmosphere both in the camp and within the teams. Anyone who wants to become world champion must prove they’re the best under all conditions,” says Sports Director and Task Setter Bernd Schmid.

On Tuesday, the competition organizers opted for a so-called “Assigned Area Task” (AAT). In this task, pilots must cover as much distance as possible within a specified time. Instead of flying to fixed turnpoints, they maneuver within large turning sectors and must constantly make tactical decisions. These range from choosing the best thermals to determining the optimal speed and flight path. Despite the difficult conditions, average speeds of more than 120 kilometers per hour were achieved.

On Wednesday a classic racing task was scheduled. The Club Class flew from Elchingen via Blaubeuren, Schillingsfürst and Solnhofen back to the airfield. The Standard Class completed a square course over Aalen, Weipertshofen near Crailsheim, Berolzheim, Uffenheim and Treuchtlingen. In this classic racing task, speed was the only factor that counted. Peak speeds of over 200 km/h were reached.

After two days of competition, the two Czech pilots Jan Stastny and Michaela Křížová continue to lead the Club Class ahead of France’s Nicolas Caudrelier. The two German pilots, Nis Zitzelsberger and Florian Kraje are in fourth and fifth place. In the Standard Class, Hungary’s Barna Hadi and Roland Veronyak are in the lead followed by Denmark’s Jacob Bøgelund Lassen.

While the focus at Elchingen Airfield is on the athletic competition, preparations are already in full swing at the Luftsportring Aalen for the club’s big anniversary celebration on Saturday. Under the theme “Air Sports Day – Experience the World Championships Live,” visitors can look forward to a varied program starting at 11 am.  Highlights will include aircraft christenings, flight demonstrations, aerobatics and a balloon glow in the evening. Admission is free.

The atmosphere is excellent even outside of the competitions. Teams and team captains from numerous nations are praising the organization and the dedication of the many volunteers from the Ostalb district. Thanks to extensive coverage on social media, the international gliding community is now following the competitions in the Ostalb region. Thus, Elchingen is once again confirming its reputation as an excellent host for top-tier international sporting events.

On Thursday, August 6^th, the fourth consecutive day of competition is in progress.

Tasks are as follows:
For the Club class: Mudau to Gramschatz and back to the Aalen airfield.
Total distance: 320.22 km

For the Standard class: Autobahn intersection A7/A71 near Schweinfurt to Ebern-Sendelbach to Geiselwind to TV tower Rauhe Wanne and back to Aalen airfield.
Total distance 343.57 km

These are again challenging tasks for all pilots.