A Milestone Moment: FAI Sailplane Grand Prix Livestreamed in China for the First Time
Saint-Auban, France — 28 August 2025
While the world’s best glider pilots battle it out in the skies above the French Alps, a dedicated team halfway across the globe is working tirelessly to bring the excitement of the FAI Sailplane Grand Prix Final to millions of Chinese viewers. Meet the China Soaring Project, a passionate group of virtual and real-world gliding enthusiasts who are breaking down barriers and making gliding accessible to a whole new audience in China.
A Dream Taking Flight
For many in China, gliding is an unfamiliar sport. Strict airspace regulations and limited access to gliders make it a rare sight in the country. But the China Soaring Project is on a mission to change that. Led by Tom Wang, the team is using the power of livestreaming to introduce the thrill, strategy, and beauty of gliding to Chinese audiences—one broadcast at a time.
Tom and his team are no strangers to the world of gliding. While they primarily fly virtually on Condor, the world’s leading gliding simulator, they also take to the skies in Australia whenever they can. Their dream? To make gliding a household name in China, inspiring a new generation of pilots and aviation enthusiasts.
A Livestream Like No Other
Every evening from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM Beijing time, the China Gliding Project transforms into a live broadcast studio, delivering a unique blend of race analysis, educational content, and real-time commentary. Their schedule is similar to what happens in St-Auban, with extra explanations for Chinese viewers:
Race Recap: They start by reviewing the previous day’s results, replaying key moments like starts and finishes, and breaking down the strategies that led to victory—or defeat.
Live Commentary: As the races unfold in France, they switch to real-time commentary, guiding viewers through the twists and turns of the competition. Their analysis is enriched with glider knowledge, pilot introductions, and insights into the sport’s tactics, making it both informative and engaging for newcomers.
Cultural Touch: To keep Chinese viewers hooked, they sprinkle in elements that resonate locally—such as clips from movies that feature gliding, helping to bridge the gap between the unknown and the familiar.
The deep collaboration between the SGP Group and the Chian Gliding Project, has helped to make this dream work, from video preparation, equipment setup, and live directing. It’s a show backed by a shared passion for the sport. "It has been very busy," Tom admits, "but seeing the growing interest makes it all worthwhile."
Where to Watch: A Multi-Platform Approach
The China Gliding Project isn’t just broadcasting on one platform—they’re going everywhere their audience is. Their livestreams are simultaneously available on:
Yangshipin (央视频): The official online video platform of CCTV, China’s state broadcaster.
WeChat Channels (视频号): The video arm of WeChat, China’s largest instant messaging app, with over a billion users.
Douyin (抖音): China’s answer to TikTok and the country’s largest short-video platform.
Bilibili (哔哩哔哩): A hub for long-form content, popular among younger audiences and niche communities.
By leveraging these platforms, they’re not just reaching gliding enthusiasts—they’re introducing the sport to people who may have never heard of it before. If you are Chinese and willing to watch our races, just search for ‘FAI Sailplane Grand Prix / 国际航空联合会滑翔机大奖赛决赛’ on one of those platforms to find Tom’s team broadcasts!
Behind the Scenes: The Magic of the Broadcast
Tom’s setup is a blend of professionalism and ingenuity. From a green-screen studio equipped with multiple cameras and lighting rigs to real-time flight tracking software, every detail is designed to create an immersive experience. The team uses the official SGP livestream as their base, but they enhance it with Chinese commentary, graphics, and educational segments tailored for their audience. Their channels are followed by more than 200,000 followers, and we expect great exposure from their work.
"Most Chinese viewers don’t know much about gliding," Tom says. "By mixing race coverage with educational content, we’re not just entertaining—we’re teaching."
And teach they do. From explaining how gliders harness thermal lift to profiling the pilots competing in France, the China Gliding Project is building a foundation for gliding in China—one livestream at a time.
Their hard work is paying off. The broadcasts are gaining traction, and the team is already editing daily highlight reels—condensed 3-minute videos that capture the essence of each race—to share with the global gliding community.
A Vision for the Future
The China Soaring Project’s work is more than just a broadcast—it’s a movement. They’re laying the groundwork for a future where gliding is as recognized in China as it is in Europe or Australia. Their livestreams are planting seeds of curiosity, inspiring viewers to explore the sport further, whether through virtual flying on Condor or, one day, in the skies above China.
As the SGP Final continues, Tom and his team will keep sharing the magic of gliding with their growing audience. And who knows? Thanks to their efforts, the next generation of Chinese glider pilots might just be watching right now.
A Special Thanks
The FAI Sailplane Grand Prix team extends its deepest gratitude to Tom Wang and the China Gliding Project for their incredible efforts. Their dedication is not only expanding the reach of our sport but also connecting cultures through a shared love of flight.
As Tom puts it: "Our dream is to make gliding accessible to everyone in China. With every livestream, we’re one step closer."
And we, for one, can’t wait to see where they soar next.
