Christophe Abadie Triumphs again in Race 4 at Saint-Auban
Saint-Auban, 27 August 2025
Race 4 of the 12th FAI Sailplane Grand Prix World Final delivered one of the most selective and dramatic contests yet, shaped by challenging weather, bold tactical choices and several high-stakes recoveries. In the end, it was Christophe Abadie of France who mastered the conditions with composure and precision - his second win in a row - crossing the line just nine seconds ahead of the Netherlands’ Peter Millenaar, while Germany’s David Bauder secured third place.
The early stages of the race saw the entire grid battling with weak thermals and broken lift. The first leg remained compact, but the field soon split after the turnpoint at Col de Cabre, where the choice between climbing conservatively or pushing low on the ridges carried enormous consequences. Didier Hauss was among the first to be punished for aggression, running out of options near Montmaur and being forced to land out. Further along, Mario Kiessling’s bold attempt through the Ceüse ridges ended in disappointment, while Alberto Sironi also fell victim to the conditions and had to restart his engine.
For those who survived the middle sector, patience was the decisive factor. Abadie, Millenaar and Seis all showed restraint, conserving altitude as others took risks that did not pay off. Drama unfolded near Sisteron when Stefan Langer, winner of the first race, and Kevin Faur both dropped dangerously low at the notorious “Hongrie Rock”. Their recovery back into contention was one of the day’s most impressive demonstrations of skill and determination, a reminder of just how fine the margins can be in this kind of racing.
The critical move came as the leading group approached La Motte du Caire. Abadie, Millenaar, Bauder, Henry and Göttler took the time to climb to over 2,100 meters, giving themselves the safety and flexibility needed to cross the Col de Jouere and line up the southern ridges. This cautious but decisive choice proved pivotal, setting them up for a stronger approach into the final sector, while others who pressed on lower struggled to keep pace.
The final glide to the finish was a nail-biter, with Christophe Abadie and Peter Millenaar flying in tight formation, and David Bauder hot on their heels. Abadie’s strategic decision to take an extra climb before the last leg gave him the critical height advantage, allowing him to cross the line first in 2:00:22 at an average speed of 93.8 km/h. Millenaar followed closely, while Bauder secured the final spot on the podium just half a minute later. Adrien Henry, who had been in contention for a top-three finish, ultimately placed fourth after a four-minute penalty. Meanwhile, Stefan Langer staged an impressive recovery to claim fifth, earning crucial points in the championship race.
Race 4 underscored the high stakes and precision required at Saint-Auban, where split-second decisions can make or break a pilot’s standing. Abadie’s victory, achieved through tactical patience, marked his second home win, while Millenaar’s consistent performance reinforced his position as a strong title contender. As the competition progresses, the margin for error narrows, and every move in the air carries significant weight in shaping the championship outcome.
Overall Ranking Shake-Up After Race 4
The Race delivered another dramatic shift in the overall standings. Peter Millenaar takes the lead with a total of 22 points, closely followed by Christophe Abadie, who surged to second place with 20 points after his victory in this task. Maximilian Seis remains in contention, holding third with 19 points. David Bauder and Stefan Langer also stayed in the top five, accumulating 14 and 15 points respectively, showcasing their consistency across the competition. Erik Borgmann and Stanislaw Biela, both tied at 13 points, round out the group of pilots still in the hunt for the podium. The race saw several pilots, including Kévin Faur and Conrad Hartter, maintaining their presence in the top ten, while others like Alberto Sironi and Mario Kiessling faced setbacks after failing to finish. With the competition heating up and only a few points separating the leaders, the battle for the championship title is more intense than ever. The varied performances and tactical decisions continue to shape what is proving to be an unpredictable and thrilling world final.
