Kevin Faur Shines in Race 2 with Brilliant Tactics and a Commanding Lead
Saint-Auban, France — Monday, 25 August 2025
After the drama of the opening day, Race 2 of the 12th FAI Sailplane Grand Prix World Final delivered yet another tactical masterclass—this time from French pilot Kevin Faur (LB), who claimed a sensational victory with a margin of nearly seven minutes over the rest of the field.
The 328 km task began with immediate divergence in strategy. Some pilots turned west towards La Plate and the Chabre mountains, where strong thermals gave them extra altitude, while others pushed east on a straighter but lower line, following the ridges after Col de Jouere. The western option paid off handsomely for Didier Hauss (KW), who led into the first turnpoint with height to spare. But his advantage faded quickly on the Pic de Bure, where he was reeled in by Mario Kiessling (I).
Kiessling seized the initiative with a bold northern line through Barcelonnette Valley, a move that lifted him ahead while others—including Stefan Langer (SF) and Erik Borgmann (JG)—sank too low after choosing southern exits. Faur, flying patiently, joined Kiessling and emerged higher over Dormillouse, setting the stage for the decisive middle section.
The race pivoted as the duo approached the Durance Valley. Kiessling, pressing aggressively, skipped a climb and paid the price, arriving too low on the western ridges. Faur, meanwhile, took the extra altitude, enabling a smooth crossing and a clean line to La Charpe. From there, he consolidated his advantage with a perfectly timed climb before the third turnpoint, while rivals scrambled lower behind.
On the approach to Montmaur, Faur made his winning move. Opting for Les Apôtres near Aspres, he arrived just high enough to hook into the ridge, and find a powerful thermal, climbing to 2,800 m—far higher than the chasing pack - stuck at 1,500m. That climb sealed the race. He turned for home with altitude in hand and cruised through the final glide at a relaxed 150 km/h, enjoying every second of his commanding lead.
Behind him, the rest of the fleet bunched together for a mass finish. Still, the day belonged to Faur: a faultless performance, superbly judged climbs, and the coolness to make decisive moves when it mattered.
“The final glide was the slowest I’ve ever made — just 150 km/h, enjoying the moment. It was cool,” Faur reflected at the finish, a smile on his face.
With his home victory, Faur propels himself firmly into the spotlight of this World Final. As the competition continues in Saint-Auban, the battle between Germany’s depth, France’s flair, and Poland’s consistency promises more breathtaking racing ahead.
