21/06/2026
Częstochowa – The World Capital of Gliding
The 40th FAI World Gliding Championships in association with Avionic Conclude Successfully
For nearly a month, Rudniki Airfield near Częstochowa became the arena for competition among the world's finest glider pilots. The 40th FAI World Gliding Championships in association with Avionic brought together 73 competitors representing 25 nations. Record-breaking flights, an exciting battle for medals, and exemplary organisation ensured that this event will be remembered as a landmark in the history of international gliding.
The World Capital of Gliding
For several weeks, Częstochowa and Rudniki Airfield became the meeting place of the world's gliding elite. Pilots from Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and Australia competed in three classes: Open Class, 18-Metre Class and 20-Metre Two-Seater Class.
The Championships were organised by the Częstochowa Aero Club – Rudniki Airfield, with the project co-financed by Poland's Ministry of Sport and Tourism. The official opening ceremony took place on 16 May at Biegański Square in Częstochowa. The festivities were preceded by a colourful parade of national teams through the city streets, accompanied by the Kłomnice Youth Brass Band and the Fanaberia Majorettes of Kłomnice. Competitors, local residents, representatives of public authorities, sponsors and championship partners all took part in the inauguration.
Record-Breaking Flights Over Poland
Thanks to the excellent infrastructure of Rudniki Airfield and favourable weather conditions, as many as ten competition tasks were completed. Pilots flew distances ranging from several hundred to more than eight hundred kilometres, battling not only against their rivals but also against challenging weather conditions.
A particularly historic day was 28 May, when the longest championship tasks ever flown in the history of the World Gliding Championships were completed. Open Class competitors covered a distance of 848.08 km, the 18-Metre Class flew 755.20 km, and the 20-Metre Two-Seater Class completed 616.13 km. Altogether, participants flew more than 53,000 kilometres on that single day, setting one of the most impressive achievements in the history of world gliding.
A Medal Fight Until the Final Day
The sporting competition provided tremendous excitement. In the Open Class, only seven points separated the world champion from the runner-up. Germany's Felipe Levin claimed the gold medal, successfully defending the title he had won two years earlier. Sebastian Kawa secured second place, winning Poland's first Open Class World Championship medal in 33 years. Germany's Michael Sommer took the bronze medal.
France's Victor Mallick triumphed in the 18-Metre Class. Fellow French pilot Christophe Abadie finished second, while Germany's Stefan Langer completed the podium in third place.
In the 20-Metre Two-Seater Class, the German crew of Karsten Leucker and Jan Omsels emerged victorious. Polish pilots Łukasz Grabowski and Judyta Czyż won the silver medals, giving the large crowd of supporters many reasons to celebrate. Hungary's Péter Kassai and Zoltán Mészáros finished third.
Poland on the Team Podium
Germany topped the team standings ahead of France and Poland. The Polish team's result was warmly welcomed by both the aviation community and fans, confirming the country's strong position on the international gliding stage.
Closing Ceremony and Special Awards
The closing ceremony brought together competitors, representatives of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), sponsors, event partners and local residents. Among the guests were representatives of regional authorities and a delegation from the organisers of the next World Gliding Championships, which will take place in 2028 in Coulommiers, France.
The most eagerly anticipated moment of the ceremony was the presentation of medals to the new world champions. In accordance with FAI protocol, the awards were presented by Serafina Ogończyk-Mąkowska, Vice President of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale and President of the Aero Club of Poland, together with Christof Geisler, Chairman of the FAI International Jury.
Several special awards were also presented during the gala evening. Felipe Levin received the Robert Kronfeld Trophy for the longest task of the Championships, while Laurent Aboulin was awarded the Göran Ax Memorial Trophy for the greatest cumulative distance flown.
The organisers also honoured several individuals with special distinctions. Victor Mallick received the award for Best Newcomer. Recognition was also given to Leon Blum, the youngest participant in the Championships; Pierre de Broqueville, the oldest competitor; and Naoe Yoshioka, author of the best photograph taken during the event.
The Organisational Success of the Częstochowa Aero Club
The Championships were not only a top-level sporting event but also an outstanding promotion of Częstochowa and the surrounding region. The organisers emphasised the tremendous support received from sponsors and event partners. The Championships' title partner was Avionic, manufacturer of Diana gliders. Public institutions, local governments and numerous industry partners also played an important role in delivering the event.
FAI representatives highly praised the standard of organisation, describing the Częstochowa Aero Club as a model for future World Championship hosts. Particular recognition was given to both the professionally prepared infrastructure and the smooth ex*****on of the entire event.
Championships That Will Go Down in History
The 40th FAI World Gliding Championships in association with Avionic will remain in the memories of participants as an extraordinary event filled with sporting excitement, record-breaking achievements and international cooperation. For several weeks, Częstochowa truly became the world capital of gliding, while the organisational success of the Częstochowa Aero Club confirmed that Poland is among the most important nations on the global gliding map.
The words of appreciation expressed by both the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale and the competitors themselves demonstrate that the Championships at Rudniki Airfield near Częstochowa will long serve as an inspiration and reference point for future organisers of this prestigious event.
Photo credit: Tomasz Wójciak
