Post by vmo on Nov 5, 2007 9:31:24 GMT 12
The world’s leading glider pilot, Sebastian Kawa (POL) has confirmed his entry for the FAI World GP Gliding Championship 2007, in Omarama this December.
Kawa is currently number one on the International Gliding Commission (IGC) rankings and has won every European and World Championship he has entered since 2003. He will be joined by the world’s elite pilots and race head-to-head to earn the prestigious title of World GP Gliding Champion.
The six days of intense competition will see high speed aerial battles of strategy, courage and skill as the pilots race above New Zealand’s spectacular Southern Alps. Travelling at speeds of up to 300kph, often just metres above the mountain ridges and hostile terrain, the competitors are sometimes just a wing’s breadth apart from each other.
“The calibre of gliding from these pilots racing is guaranteed to be phenomenal,” said Bob Henderson, President International Gliding Commission. “The skill and nerve of these elite sports men will astound spectators around the world as they watch them push themselves and their aircraft to the limits.”
The 20 pilots competing have now been confirmed, hailing from 11 different countries. Each has earned his place competing in the FAI World GP Gliding Championship Series around the world over the last two years.
Representing the gliding elite, many of them have held national and international titles including Michael Sommer from Germany current title holder of the Open Class World Gliding Championship, Peter Harvey a former British National Champion with an impressive list of winning credentials and Petr Krejcirik holder of eight Czech national records. Also in the line up is the 1999 World Champion, Giorgio Galetto representing Italy, he currently holds five Italian distance and speed records.
Sebastian Kawa, who has gained three World, two European and one Grand Prix title, started his gliding life very young. From the age of four years Kawa accompanied his father on various recreational flights and competitions across the world. Outside of gliding, Kawa is a world-class sailor representing Poland and respected obstetrician although a recent career change now sees him training to be a commercial airline pilot, in between his gliding commitments.
The FAI World GP Gliding Championship will take place 19-24 December in Omarama, and can be seen live by spectators around the world using the latest in TV and internet technologies via www.gpgliding.com.
Kawa is currently number one on the International Gliding Commission (IGC) rankings and has won every European and World Championship he has entered since 2003. He will be joined by the world’s elite pilots and race head-to-head to earn the prestigious title of World GP Gliding Champion.
The six days of intense competition will see high speed aerial battles of strategy, courage and skill as the pilots race above New Zealand’s spectacular Southern Alps. Travelling at speeds of up to 300kph, often just metres above the mountain ridges and hostile terrain, the competitors are sometimes just a wing’s breadth apart from each other.
“The calibre of gliding from these pilots racing is guaranteed to be phenomenal,” said Bob Henderson, President International Gliding Commission. “The skill and nerve of these elite sports men will astound spectators around the world as they watch them push themselves and their aircraft to the limits.”
The 20 pilots competing have now been confirmed, hailing from 11 different countries. Each has earned his place competing in the FAI World GP Gliding Championship Series around the world over the last two years.
Representing the gliding elite, many of them have held national and international titles including Michael Sommer from Germany current title holder of the Open Class World Gliding Championship, Peter Harvey a former British National Champion with an impressive list of winning credentials and Petr Krejcirik holder of eight Czech national records. Also in the line up is the 1999 World Champion, Giorgio Galetto representing Italy, he currently holds five Italian distance and speed records.
Sebastian Kawa, who has gained three World, two European and one Grand Prix title, started his gliding life very young. From the age of four years Kawa accompanied his father on various recreational flights and competitions across the world. Outside of gliding, Kawa is a world-class sailor representing Poland and respected obstetrician although a recent career change now sees him training to be a commercial airline pilot, in between his gliding commitments.
The FAI World GP Gliding Championship will take place 19-24 December in Omarama, and can be seen live by spectators around the world using the latest in TV and internet technologies via www.gpgliding.com.