Diana 2 racing glider over the Andes during competition training before World Grand Prix, picture taken from a rival's glider
Gliding competitions existed before the Second World War, but as the technologies evolved, the performance of the gliders has taken them away from the public view. Furthermore the scoring is complex and gliders can start at different times. Proposals were made in 1970[1] but it was not until 2005 that first world gliding competition in Grand Prix format was held in France at Saint Auban. This was at the Salon Européen du Vol à Voile (European Sailplane Show/Exhibition) in 2005 as part of the FAI's marketing strategy to promote the sport of gliding by establishing annual international competitions.
Competition formulaedit
In a gliding Grand Prix the gliders race in competition close together around a pre-set task. A smaller number of competitors reduces the risks of the simultaneous start. A place-scoring system provides rewards for excellence without unduly punishing a poor performance.
A task, typically 2-3 hour in duration and between 200 and 400 km in length is set.
All gliders start at the same time (similar to a yacht race).
The gliders must cross the short start line not above a set height and not faster than a set maximum speed.
The start/finish line is generally close to the airfield so that it can be observed by spectators.
Gliders race around the task. No team flying is permitted. The first one home wins as they all started at the same time and there is no handicapping.
A place scoring system is used, with 1 point for every finisher you beat, plus a bonus point for coming home first. (similar to a Motor Grand Prix).
Scoringedit
Position
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
Points
10
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Tacticsedit
Pilots aim to fly as fast as possible, because there is little incentive to keep fellow competitors in sight to preserve a big lead overall by only losing by a few points on a given day[2]
Flying around the task with a group of other gliders is often not beneficial, because if you come home only a few seconds behind the group, you could lose many points[2]
The aim is to be in front at the finish, so making bold tactical moves can mean a big difference in results[2]
^ abc"The Evolution of U.S. Contest Soaring", John H. Cochrane, 2 October2010, Ralph S. Barnaby Lecture, faculty.chicagobooth.edu
External linksedit
Grand Prix Gliding
November 30, 2023
grand, prix, gliding, this, article, needs, updated, please, help, update, this, article, reflect, recent, events, newly, available, information, july, 2018, world, grand, prix, gliding, championships, gliding, competitions, promoted, fédération, aéronautique,. This article needs to be updated Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information July 2018 FAI World Grand Prix Gliding Championships are gliding competitions promoted by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale FAI for gliders that are both more spectacular and more easily understood by the public than conventional gliding competitions FAI Sailplane Grand PrixCurrent season competition or edition FAI World Grand Prix 2012 2013SportGlidingFounded2005ContinentInternational FAI Most recentchampion s Giorgio GalettoMost titlesSebastian Kawa 3 Official websitehttp www sgp aero Contents 1 Origins 2 Competition formula 2 1 Scoring 3 Tactics 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksOrigins edit nbsp Diana 2 racing glider over the Andes during competition training before World Grand Prix picture taken from a rival s gliderGliding competitions existed before the Second World War but as the technologies evolved the performance of the gliders has taken them away from the public view Furthermore the scoring is complex and gliders can start at different times Proposals were made in 1970 1 but it was not until 2005 that first world gliding competition in Grand Prix format was held in France at Saint Auban This was at the Salon Europeen du Vol a Voile European Sailplane Show Exhibition in 2005 as part of the FAI s marketing strategy to promote the sport of gliding by establishing annual international competitions Competition formula editIn a gliding Grand Prix the gliders race in competition close together around a pre set task A smaller number of competitors reduces the risks of the simultaneous start A place scoring system provides rewards for excellence without unduly punishing a poor performance A task typically 2 3 hour in duration and between 200 and 400 km in length is set All gliders start at the same time similar to a yacht race The gliders must cross the short start line not above a set height and not faster than a set maximum speed The start finish line is generally close to the airfield so that it can be observed by spectators Gliders race around the task No team flying is permitted The first one home wins as they all started at the same time and there is no handicapping A place scoring system is used with 1 point for every finisher you beat plus a bonus point for coming home first similar to a Motor Grand Prix Scoring edit Position 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th Points 10 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0Tactics editPilots aim to fly as fast as possible because there is little incentive to keep fellow competitors in sight to preserve a big lead overall by only losing by a few points on a given day 2 Flying around the task with a group of other gliders is often not beneficial because if you come home only a few seconds behind the group you could lose many points 2 The aim is to be in front at the finish so making bold tactical moves can mean a big difference in results 2 See also editResults of Grand Prix series FAI World Grand Prix 2007 FAI World Grand Prix 2008 Grand Prix final on 2 9 January 2010 Santiago de Chile FAI World Grand Prix 2010 2011 FAI World Grand Prix 2012 2013 European and World Gliding Championships First UK Gliding Grand Prix at Cambridge Gliding CentreReferences edit Future Competition Trends Discussions between Nicholas Goodhart George B Moffat Jr Richard Schreder and Smith a b c The Evolution of U S Contest Soaring John H Cochrane 2 October2010 Ralph S Barnaby Lecture faculty chicagobooth eduExternal links editGrand Prix Gliding FAI 1st World Sailplane Grand Prix in Saint Auban Salon Europeen du Vol a Voile European Sailplane Show Exhibition Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Grand Prix gliding amp oldid 1181162916, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
