Räyskälä Masters

07/01/2026

07/01/2026

Have you registered for Uppsala Masters 2026 yet? If not, now is your chance to be a part of one of the greatest gliding competitions and it is located in only 3 hours drive from Helsinki! There are already 44 competitors enrolled and the maximum is 50, so don't miss out!

03/06/2025

Days 6 & 7 – Wed & Thu, 28–29 May 2025

No flying for two days – a welcome chance to rest and share experiences with fellow competitors. Although the weather felt like summer, the conditions weren't good enough to set a suitable task for the competitors. In gliding competitions, no-fly days are usually unplanned – it’s always the weather that makes the final decision.

It’s not just about how the sky looks above the airfield. What really matters is the forecast for the entire task area, often covering several hundred kilometres. We need to assess how the weather will develop throughout the day in those regions where the gliders would fly.

At Räyskälä Masters, we’re fortunate to have professional meteorologists supporting us. This year, the forecasts are provided by Tapio Tourula – a glider pilot himself. We're lucky and grateful to have experts like Tapio, who bring together deep knowledge of weather forecasting and hands-on experience in the sport of gliding!

30/05/2025

Friday 30th May 2025, waiting in the grid... photos by Katja Soikkeli

28/05/2025

Day 5 - Tuesday, 27 May 2025

The fourth flying day brought racing tasks of 245–300 km for all classes. After a few days of turbulent and challenging soaring conditions, today offered a smoother experience. Pilots were truly able to race, with winning average speeds reaching up to 130 km/h!

Räyskälä Masters is held in alternate years with Uppsala Masters as part of a shared competition concept. While the event is designed to push pilots to their limits, another key goal is to foster learning and strengthen the gliding community.

Alongside highly experienced pilots—including some who regularly compete for top spots at European and World Championships—we’re proud to see many talented younger pilots taking part. Watch their flights closely—this could be where new names begin to rise!

28/05/2025

Tuesday 27th May 2025 photos "the pilots and waiting in the grid" by Katja Soikkeli

27/05/2025

Monday 26th May 2025 photos by Katja Soikkeli

26/05/2025

25th May 2025 photos by Katja Soikkeli

25/05/2025

Day 3 - Sunday, 25 May 2025

The morning began under a blanket of clouds, but it didn’t take long for the sky to open up. Promising cumulus clouds began forming quickly, setting the stage for another exciting day of flying.

Launches kicked off right at 12:00, and today all classes were assigned racing tasks ranging from 215 to 320 kilometers.

With conditions looking good and pilots eager to perform, it’s shaping up to be a great competition day. Stay tuned for results and highlights!

📍 You can follow the competitors live through the live tracking links: https://www.soaringspot.com/en_gb/rayskala-masters/

24/05/2025

Day 2 - Saturday, 24 May 2025

After a rainy start yesterday, the skies finally opened up for flying today! Pilots were set a 2-hour area task, and by 12:00 the launches were underway. Within an hour and a half, all 41 gliders were airborne.

This year’s competition brings together an exciting mix of talent: 11 pilots from Sweden, one each from Estonia and Poland, and 28 from Finland.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing—one pilot had to outland, and a few pilots lost points after crossing into restricted airspace. But with many competition days still ahead, it’s far too early to predict how the rankings will unfold. The race has only just begun, and we’re eager to see what the next days will bring!

📍 You can follow the daily tasks and results on the official competition page at Soaring Spot:
https://www.soaringspot.com/en_gb/rayskala-masters/results

24/05/2025

24th May 2025: 2 h area task, RWY 12. Towings started at 12:00.

Photos by Katja Soikkeli