World Gliding Championships


The World Gliding Championships is a gliding competition held every two years or so by the FAI Gliding Commission. The dates are not always exactly two years apart, often because the contests are sometimes held in the summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

History

had been a demonstration sport at the 1936 Summer Olympics and was due to become an official Olympic sport in the Helsinki Games in 1940. However, since the Second World War, gliding has not featured in the Olympics, and so the World Championships are the highest level in the sport. There are now contests for six classes of glider and so in recent years the Championships have been divided between two locations. The women's, junior, grand prix and aerobatic events are also held separately.
Each of the following entries give the year and location of the contest followed by the winner of each class, nationality and the glider used.
YearLocationClassWinnerGliderNotes
1937 WasserkuppeOpen Heini DittmarFafnir São PauloThis was thought not to be a true world championship and was just an 'International Competition', but it has been acknowledged as the first World Gliding Championship.
1948 SamedanOpen Per-Axel PerssonDFS Weihe
1950 ÖrebroOpen Billy NilssonDFS Weihe
1952 MadridOpen Philip WillsSlingsby SkyHanna Reitsch was bronze, the first woman to compete.
1952 MadridTwo Seater Luis Juez
Roberto Bermúdez		DFS Kranich
1954 Camphill Farm, Great HucklowOpen Gerard PierreBreguet 901
1954 Camphill Farm, Great HucklowTwo Seater Zvonimir Rain
Bozidar Komac		Ikarus Kosava
1956 Saint-YanOpen Paul MacCreadyBreguet 901
1956 Saint-YanTwo Seater Nick Goodhart
Frank Foster		Slingsby Eagle
1958 LesznoOpen Ernst HaaseHKS-3
1958 LesznoStandard Adam WitekSZD-22 Mucha Standard
1960 Cologne/KölnOpen Rodolfo HossingerSlingsby Skylark 3Rolf on his Swedish passport.
1960 Cologne/KölnStandard Heinz HuthSchleicher Ka 6BR
1963 JunínOpen Edward MakulaSZD-19 Zefir 2
1963 JunínStandard Heinz HuthSchleicher Ka 6
1965 South CerneyOpen Jan WróblewskiSZD-24 Foka 4
1965 South CerneyStandard François-Louis HenrySiren Edelweiss
1968 LesznoOpen Harro WodlSchempp-Hirth Cirrus
1968 LesznoStandard Andrew SmithNeukom S-3 Standard-Elfe
1970 Marfa, TexasOpen George MoffatSchempp-Hirth Nimbus
1970 Marfa, TexasStandard Helmut ReichmannRolladen-Schneider LS1-c
1972 VršacOpen Göran AxSchempp-Hirth Nimbus-2
1972 VršacStandard Jan WróblewskiSZD-43 Orion
1974 WaikerieOpen George MoffatSchempp-Hirth Nimbus-2
1974 WaikerieStandard Helmut ReichmannRolladen-Schneider LS2
1976 Räyskälä Airfield, LoppiOpen George LeeSchleicher ASW 17
1976 Räyskälä Airfield, LoppiStandard Ingo RennerEiri PIK-20B
1978 ChâteaurouxOpen George LeeSchleicher ASW 17
1978 Châteauroux15 metre Helmut ReichmannAkaflieg Braunschweig SB-11
1978 ChâteaurouxStandard Baer SelenSchleicher ASW 19
1981 PaderbornOpen George LeeSchempp-Hirth Nimbus-3
1981 Paderborn15 metre Göran AxSchleicher ASW 20
1981 PaderbornStandard Marc SchroederRolladen-Schneider LS4
1983 Hobbs, New MexicoOpen Ingo RennerSchempp-Hirth Nimbus-3
1983 Hobbs, New Mexico15 metre Kees MustersSchempp-Hirth Ventus A
1983 Hobbs, New MexicoStandard Stig ØyeRolladen-Schneider LS4
1985 RietiOpen Ingo RennerSchempp-Hirth Nimbus-3
1985 Rieti15 metre Doug JacobsRolladen-Schneider LS6
1985 RietiStandard Leonardo BrigliadoriSchempp-Hirth Discus
1987 BenallaOpen Ingo RennerSchleicher ASW 22BGliding Club of Victoria
1987 Benalla15 metre Brian SpreckleyRolladen-Schneider LS6Gliding Club of Victoria
1987 BenallaStandard Markku KuittinenSchempp-Hirth Discus aGliding Club of Victoria
1989 Wiener NeustadtOpenSchleicher ASW 22B
1989 Wiener Neustadt15 metre Bruno GantenbrinkSchempp-Hirth Ventus C
1989 Wiener NeustadtStandard Jacques AboulinSchempp-Hirth Discus
1991 Uvalde, TexasOpen Janusz CentkaSchleicher ASW 22B
1991 Uvalde, Texas15 metre Brad EdwardsRolladen-Schneider LS6-b
1991 Uvalde, TexasStandard Baer SelenSchempp-Hirth Discus
1993 BorlängeOpen Janusz CentkaSchleicher ASW 22B
1993 Borlänge15 metre Gilbert Gerbaud
Eric Napoleon		Rolladen-Schneider LS6-b
Rolladen-Schneider LS6-b
1993 BorlängeStandard Andrew DavisSchempp-Hirth Discus B
1995 OmaramaOpen Ray LynskeySchempp-Hirth Nimbus-4
1995 Omarama15 metre Eric NapoleonSchempp-Hirth Ventus-2
1995 OmaramaStandard Markku KuittinenSchempp-Hirth Discus a
1997 Château-Arnoux-Saint-AubanOpen Gérard LhermSchempp-Hirth Nimbus-4
1997 Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban15 metre Werner MeuserSchempp-Hirth Ventus-2a
1997 Château-Arnoux-Saint-AubanStandard Jean-Marc CaillardRolladen-Schneider LS8-a
1997 İnönü, EskişehirWorld Frederic HoyeauPZL PW-5
1999 BayreuthOpen Holger KarowSchempp-Hirth Nimbus-4
1999 Bayreuth15 metre Giorgio GalettoSchempp-Hirth Ventus-2
1999 BayreuthStandard Jean-Marc CaillardSchempp-Hirth Discus-2a
1999 LesznoWorld Henry JulienPZL PW-5
2001 MafikengOpen Oscar GoudriaanSchleicher ASW 22 BLE
2001 Mafikeng15 metre Werner MeuserSchempp-Hirth Ventus-2ax
2001 MafikengStandard Laurent AboulinSchempp-Hirth Discus-2a
2001 GawlerClub Peter MassonGlaser-Dirks DG-101
2001 Lillo18 metre Stephen JonesSchempp-Hirth Ventus-2
2001 LilloWorld Olivier DarrozePZL PW-5
2002 MusbachClub Tomas Suchanek
2003 LesznoOpen Holger KarowSchempp-Hirth Nimbus-4M
2003 Leszno18 metre Wolfgang JanowitschSchempp-Hirth Ventus-2cx
2003 Leszno15 metre John CouttsSchleicher ASW 27B
2003 LesznoStandard Andrew DavisSchempp-Hirth Discus 2a
2003 NitraWorld Sebastian KawaPZL PW-5
2004 ElverumClub Sebastian KawaSZD-48-3M Jantar 3
2006 EskilstunaOpen Michael SommerSchleicher ASW 22 BLE
2006 Eskilstuna18 metre Phil JonesSchempp-Hirth Ventus-2cxt
2006 Eskilstuna15 metre Janusz CentkaSZD 56-2 Diana 2
2006 EskilstunaStandard Leigh WellsRolladen-Schneider LS8
2006 Vinon-sur-VerdonClub Sebastian KawaSZD-48-3M Jantar 3
2006 Vinon-sur-VerdonWorld Christophe RuchPZL PW-5
2008 RietiStandard Michael BuchthalSchempp-Hirth Discus 2
2008 RietiClub Matthias SturmGlasflügel 206 Hornet
2008 RietiWorld Laurent CouturePZL PW-5
2008 LüsseOpen Michael SommerSchleicher ASW 22 BLE
2008 Lüsse18 metre Olivier DarrozeSchleicher ASG 29-18
2008 Lüsse15 metre György GulyasSchempp-Hirth Ventus-2a
2010 PrievidzaStandard Sebastian KawaSchempp-Hirth Discus 2a3 – 18 July 2010
2010 PrievidzaClub Arndt HovestadtGlasflügel Standard Libelle3 – 18 July 2010
2010 PrievidzaWorld Laurent CouturePZL PW-53 – 18 July 2010
2010 SzegedOpen Michael SommerBinder EB2920 July – 7 August 2010
2010 Szeged18 metre Zbigniew NieradkaSchleicher ASG 29-1820 July – 7 August 2010
2010 Szeged15 metre Stefano GhiorzoSZD 56-2 Diana 220 July – 7 August 2010
2012 Uvalde, TexasOpen Laurent AboulinSchempp-Hirth Quintus M28 July – 19 August
2012 Uvalde, Texas18 metre Zbigniew NieradkaSchleicher ASG 29-1828 July – 19 August
2012 Uvalde, Texas15 metre Sebastian KawaSZD 56-2 Diana 228 July – 19 August
2013 Adolfo Gonzales Chaves, Buenos AiresStandard Sebastian KawaSchempp-Hirth Discus 2a6 – 19 January 2013
2013 Adolfo Gonzales Chaves, Buenos AiresClub Santiago BercaSZD-48 Jantar Standard 26 – 19 January 2013
2013 Adolfo Gonzales Chaves, Buenos AiresWorld Sebastián RieraPZL PW-5Last World class world championship
2014 Räyskälä Airfield, LoppiClub Eric BernardSchempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus22 June – 5 July 2014
2014 Räyskälä Airfield, LoppiStandard Bert SchmelzerSchempp-Hirth Discus 2a22 June – 5 July 2014
2014 Räyskälä Airfield, Loppi20m Multi-Seat Steve Jones
Howard Jones		Schempp-Hirth Arcus T22 June – 5 July 2014
2014 LesznoOpen Michael SommerBinder EB2926 July – 10 August 2014 Photo-gallery
2014 Leszno18 metre Karol StaryszakSchleicher ASG 29-1826 July – 10 August 2014 Photo-gallery
2014 Leszno15 metre Sebastian KawaSZD 56-2 Diana 226 July – 10 August 2014 Photo-gallery
2015 Pociūnai13.5 metre Stefano GhiorzoDiana 2 Versus2–15 August 2015
2016 PociūnaiClub Jan RothhardtRolladen-Schneider LS1-d31 July – 13 August 2016
2016 PociūnaiStandard Louis BouderliqueSchempp-Hirth Discus 2a31 July – 13 August 2016
2016 Pociūnai20m Multi-Seat Laurent Aboulin
Julien Duboc		Schempp-Hirth Arcus T31 July – 13 August 2016
2017 BenallaOpen Russell CheethamJonker JS-1C9 – 21 January 2017
2017 Benalla18 metre Killian WalbrouJonker JS-19 – 21 January 2017
2017 Benalla15 metre Sebastian KawaSZD 56-2 Diana 29 – 21 January 2017
2017 Szatymaz13.5 metre Sebastian KawaGP 14 VELO3–15 July 2017
2018 Ostrów Wielkopolski, PolandClub Rasmus ØrskovSchleicher ASW 207–21 July 2018
2018 Ostrów Wielkopolski, PolandStandard Sjaak SelenSchempp-Hirth Discus 2a7–21 July 2018
2018 Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland15 metre Sebastian KawaSchleicher ASG 297–21 July 2018
2018 Hosín, Czech RepublicOpen Michael SommerBinder EB2927 July – 11 August 2018
2018 Hosín, Czech Republic18 metre Wolfgang JanowitschSchempp-Hirth Ventus 3T27 July – 11 August 2018
2018 Hosín, Czech Republic20 m Multi-seat Christoph Matkowski
Sebastian Kawa		Schleicher ASG 32 Mi27 July – 11 August 2018
2019 Pavullo nel Frignano, Italy13.5 metre Stefano GhiorzoDiana VersVS1–14 September 2019
2019 Pavullo nel Frignano, Italy---1–14 September 2019
2019 Pavullo nel Frignano, Italy---1–14 September 2019

World Grand Prix Gliding Championships

, or Sailplane Grand Prix, is a newer type of gliding competition. It has simpler rules and a more spectacular appearance than conventional soaring competitions.

Women's World Gliding Championships

The Women's World Gliding Championships is a women-only gliding competition. From 1979 to 1999 women's gliding competitions were held as International European Women's Gliding Championships.
YearLocationClassWinnerGliderNotes
2001 PociūnaiClub Tamara SviridovaSZD-48 Jantar Standard
2001 PociūnaiStandard Sarah SteinbergSchleicher ASW 24née Harland
2001 Pociūnai15 metre Gillian SpreckleySchempp-Hirth Ventus-2a
2003 JihlavaClub Christine GroteGlasflügel Standard Libelle
2003 JihlavaStandard Cornelia Schaich Rolladen-Schneider LS8-b
2003 Jihlava15 metre Alena NetusilovaSchempp-Hirth Ventus-2a
2005 KlixClub Hana VokrinkovaSchempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus
2005 KlixStandard Jana Veprekova Rolladen-Schneider LS8-b
2005 Klix15 metre Mette Pedersen Schleicher ASW 27B
2007 RomorantinClub Gillian SpreckleyRolladen-Schneider LS1-f
2007 RomorantinStandard Sarah KelmanSchleicher ASW 28née Harland
2007 Romorantin15 metre Katrin SenneSchempp-Hirth Ventus-2a
2009 SzegedClub Nathalie HurlinSchempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus
2009 SzegedStandard Sue Kussbach Rolladen-Schneider LS8-b
2009 Szeged15 metre Susanne SchödelSchempp-Hirth Ventus-2a
2011 ArbogaClub Agnete OlesenGlasflügel Standard Libelle WL
2011 ArbogaStandard Sue Kussbach Rolladen-Schneider LS8-b
2011 Arboga15 metre Susanne SchödelSchempp-Hirth Ventus 2ax
2013 IssoudunClub Christine GroteGlasflügel Standard Libelle WL
2013 IssoudunStandard Sue Kussbach Rolladen-Schneider LS8-b
2013 Issoudun15 metre Anne DucarougeSchleicher ASG 29
2015 HerningClub Sabrina VogtGlasflügel Standard Libelle
2015 HerningStandard Aude GrangerayRolladen-Schneider LS8
2015 Herning15 metre Anne DucarougeSchleicher ASG 29
2017 ZbraslaviceClub Sabrina VogtGlasflügel Standard Libelle
2017 ZbraslaviceStandard Aude GrangeraySchempp-Hirth Discus-2A
2017 Zbraslavice18 metre Katrin SenneSchleicher ASG 29
2020 Lake KeepitClub Elena FergnaniDiscus
2020 Lake KeepitStandard Sarah ArnoldDiscus-2
2020 Lake Keepit18 metre Mélanie GadouletJS-3

Junior World Gliding Championships

The Junior World Gliding Championships is a competition for glider pilots under the age of 26. From 1991 to 1997, international junior gliding competitions were held as European Junior Gliding Championships.
YearLocationClassWinnerGliderNotes
1999 TerletStandard Gunther StahlSchempp-Hirth Discus-2b
1999 TerletClub Robert ScheiffarthSchleicher ASW 19b
2001 IssoudunStandard Jay RebbeckRolladen-Schneider LS8
2001 IssoudunClub Peter ToftGlasflügel Standard Libelle
2003 NitraStandard Jeremy HoodRolladen-Schneider LS8
2003 NitraClub Michael StreitSchleicher ASW 19
2005 Husbands BosworthStandard Mark ParkerRolladen-Schneider LS8
2005 Husbands BosworthClub Christoph NackeRolladen-Schneider LS1
2007 RietiStandard Patrick GaiRolladen-Schneider LS8
2007 RietiClub Killian WalbrouSchempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus 75
2009 RäyskäläStandard Felipe LevinSchempp-Hirth Discus-2
2009 RäyskäläClub Volker SailerGlasflügel Standard Libelle
2011 Freudenstadt MusbachStandard Felipe LevinSchempp-Hirth Discus-2a
2011 Freudenstadt MusbachClub Tim KuijpersSchempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus
2013 LesznoStandard Peter MillenaarSchempp-Hirth Discus-2a
2013 LesznoClub Valentin GritGlasflügel 206 Hornet
2015 NarromineStandard Matthew ScutterSchempp-Hirth Discus-2a
2015 NarromineClub Tom ArscottSchempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus
2017 PociūnaiStandard Sjoerd van EmpelenRolladen-Schneider LS8
2017 PociūnaiClub Julian KlemmGlasflügel Standard Libelle
2019 SzegedStandard Simon SchröderRolladen-Schneider LS8
2019 SzegedClub Jake BrattleASW-20

FAI World Glider Aerobatic Championships

World Glider Aerobatic Championships take place each year since 1985 under the auspices of the FAI. They are administrated by the FAI Aerobatics Commission "Commission Internationale de Voltige Aerienne". The 2001 championships were part of the World Air Games. Since 1994, European Glider Aerobatic Championships are held in the years between the World Championships. Since 2010, an additional event is organized in a slightly less demanding "Advanced" category – the World Advanced Glider Aerobatic Championships. WAGAC is organized yearly, usually accompanying the WGAC.