29 Nov 2023

Pilots gather in Narromine, Australia for the 37th FAI World Gliding Championships

Excitement is building in Narromine, New South Wales, Australia ahead of the 37th edition of the FAI World Gliding Championships which runs between 2nd to 16th December 2023. Eighty competitors will represent 21 nations at the event.


Sebastian Kawa is the reigning champion in the 15m Class

Competition flights will start on 3rd December, during which the 80 participants will navigate their high-performance gliders across central NSW, engaging in races that can last between three to five hours. The distances covered during these races range from 300 to 500 kilometres. The winners of each race will accumulate points. In each of the three classes, the pilot with the highest point score at the end of the competition will be declared World Champion.

To mark the commencement of the World Gliding Championships Narromine, an Opening Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, December 2nd.

Gliding Australia has taken charge of organising the event under the auspices of FAI. It will be conducted by highly skilled organisers who have successfully managed various Gliding events at the State, National, and international levels, including the FAI Junior World Championships in 2015 as well as multiple Australian national championships. Thanks to its exceptional facilities and amenities suitable for large-scale events - including a fully equipped airfield and easy access to cultural services within walking distance from a bustling town - Narromine will ensure the pilots and their supporters have a wonderful experience in Australia.


 The youngest competitor to take part in WGC Narromine, 21 year old Kim Toppari from Finland flying Club Class, was looking forward to his flight, only his second in an ASW20.

 Current World Gliding Champions defending their titles 

  • 15m Class: Sebastian Kawa, Poland
  • Standard Class: Simon Schröder, Germany
  • Club Class: Uwe Wahlig, Germany

Follow the competition

Team Facebook pages

Top picture: Phillip Jonker on task standard class, credit: Facebook/World Gliding Championship 2023