Austrian glider team arrives in Uvalde for a second World Gliding Event

by Michael Robinson
Pictures by Michael Robinson

Top Picture: (Left to Right) Tobias Amann, Werner Amann, Andreas Lutz & Wolfgang Janowitsch stand in front of their team’s sail plane earlier this evening (Wednesday, August 14th, 2024)

(August 14th, 2024) Today marks the first day of the 38th FAI World Gliding Championship   which will continue through August 31st. According to Wolfgang Janowitsch from Austria approximately 50 sailplanes took to the skies today.

The Uvalde Hesperian visited with Janowitsch’s team earlier this afternoon as they were wrapping up their day at Garner Field, When asked if this was his first time visiting Uvalde, he said that he came to Uvalde for the World Gliding Event in 2012.

According to the official website, it states:

This world-class event is organized by the Soaring Society of America, under the auspices of the National Aeronautics Association of the USA, at the direction of the FAI Gliding Commission (IGC) as hosted by the Uvalde Soaring Association. Soaring pilots in the Open, 18 meter, and Multi-seat classes from over thirty countries will compete for the coveted title of World Champion at this event. Uvalde is famous for its Texas-sized hospitality and some of the best soaring conditions possible.

World Gliding Championships (WGC) are the highest expression of the sport, with the best sailplane pilots worldwide coming together to determine a champion in each of the three classes. Championships typically last ten to twelve days, with courses of 100 to 400 miles (160 to 600 km) set each day the weather is suitable. Uvalde has hosted two World Championships, the first in 1991 and another in 2012.

CEO of the SkyWay Group, Mark Huffstutler said, “The public is invited and encouraged to participate in this event. Observing Launch from 12 noon to 2 pm and the recovery in the evenings from 5 pm to 7 pm would be the best viewing of gliders in flight. We will have a Parade and Olympic style ceremony Saturday the 17^th at the Honeybowl and the closing ceremonies at the airport on Saturday the 31^st. The public is welcome at the Soaring AeroPlaza at the end of Howard Langford Drive.”

The Saturday, August 17th Parade is set to begin at 10 AM. According to information obtained from Uvalde City Councilman Chip King, the parade starts at Mesquite street at Getty and goes to the Amphitheater at the park.