Peter Millenaar Crowned Champion at Farrenberg After a Spectacular Week of Racing
16/08/2026 - Farrenberg, Germany - The FAI Qualifying Sailplane Grand Prix of Germany 2026 has concluded at the breathtaking Farrenberg airfield, capping off an intense week of high-speed tactical soaring across the Swabian Alb and the Black Forest. After six official race days of relentless competition, Peter Millenaar has claimed the ultimate victory, securing his place as the Farrenberg Champion and earning his ticket to the SGP World Final in Chile.
A Week of Tactical Extremes
The skies over Farrenberg delivered a true test of piloting skill, demanding extreme adaptability from the entire grid. From suffocating blue thermals early in the week that required immense patience and precise terrain reading, to towering cumulus clouds and blistering 150+ km/h final glides in the latter stages, the weather provided a dynamic and unforgettable arena.
Every single day forced the competitors to make high-stakes routing decisions. Whether it was navigating the invisible lift of the Swabian Alps or utilizing the higher ceilings over the Black Forest, the twenty world-class pilots answered the call, delivering a masterclass in energy management and aggressive racing.
How Millenaar Mastered the Sky
Peter Millenaar’s path to the championship was defined by a perfect blend of calculated aggression and flawless consistency.
He positioned himself as a serious contender early on, highlighted by a strong third-place finish in Race 3, surviving a grueling blue-thermal day that grounded other top competitors. However, it was during the crucial middle of the week that Millenaar truly broke the competition.
In Race 4, he stepped up from the podium to the top step, tearing through the Black Forest and executing a flawless finish glide to take the win. He proved it was no fluke in Race 5, delivering a dominant back-to-back victory with an astonishing average speed of 137.6 km/h. By banking those two massive 10-point hauls, Millenaar established an imposing overall lead of 38 points.
Heading into the final day under challenging cloud cover, the pressure was immense. Millenaar needed only to fly a clean, defensive race to protect his position and prevent local favorite Conrad Hartter from stealing the crown. He executed this strategy perfectly, finishing seventh in Race 6 to bring his final tally to 41 points and permanently shut the door on the competition.
Hartter fought brilliantly on his home turf, securing second place overall with 38 points and joining Millenaar in qualifying for the World Final in Chile. Stefan Langer rounded out the overall podium in third with 29 points after a highly entertaining and bold campaign.
SGP World Final Qualification: The Road to Chile
The top two finishers at the Germany SGP earn direct qualification to the prestigious 12th FAI World Sailplane Grand Prix Final in Chile:
1st Place (Qualified): Peter Millenaar (NL) - 41 points
2nd Place (Qualified): Conrad Hartter (DE) - 38 points
3rd Place (Reserve List): Stefan Langer (DE) - 29 points
As the top two pilots, Millenaar and Hartter have officially punched their tickets to compete against the world's best on the international stage in Chile. By securing 3rd place overall, Stefan Langer enters the official reserve list, positioning him first in line for a World Final berth should a qualification slot open up.
By the Numbers: A Monumental Effort
The sheer scale of the racing at Farrenberg this week was staggering, showcasing the endurance and skill of the grid. Without any use of engine, Powered by Nature. The sun heating the ground, creating fantastic thermal conditions.
Total Distance Flown: Over 35,000 kilometres across the fleet.
Total Flight Time:274 hours spent pushing gliders to the absolute limit.
Note: These figures encompass only the 6 official race days, excluding training and the cancelled race.
Acknowledgements
An event of this magnitude is not possible without an incredible team working tirelessly behind the scenes. We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made this spectacular week a reality.
Special thanks must go to Contest Director Klaus Kalmbach and his Deputy, David Irmler, for orchestrating safe and challenging tasks every single day. We also want to highlight the exceptional work of Local Media Manager Leon Tonat and interviewer Lisa-Carina Oborowski for bringing the stories of the grid to our global audience, alongside all the dedicated teams involved on the ground.
To the pilots: thank you for the unbelievable show. You took on amazing weather at an amazing airfield and delivered a competition we will not soon forget.
Finally, a massive thank you to all the Event Sponsors (available to view on sgp.aero/germany-2026) for their invaluable support of the sport.
The Farrenberg chapter of Series 13 is now closed, but the road to Chile continues. Stay tuned to sgp.aero for more racing action!
