Rozak Leads After Weekend 1 of the 3rd FAI World Virtual SGP Final

virtual
Written By Antoine Havet

Austria, 27/01/2026 - The line between virtual gliding and reality continues to blur. This past weekend, the 3rd FAI World Virtual Sailplane Grand Prix (VSGP) Final launched, bringing together the world’s most elite Condor pilots to compete for the ultimate esports title.

If you missed the opening weekend, you missed a masterclass in tactical decision-making that rivaled any real-world championship. Here is everything you need to know about the VSGP, what happened in the first three races, and how you can watch the finale.

What is the Virtual SGP?

The FAI Virtual SGP mimics the real-world FAI Sailplane Grand Prix series down to the finest detail. Just like the real SGP:

  • The Start: A Regatta start (simultaneous start) across a virtual start line.

  • The Scoring: First across the finish line wins. 10 points for 1st, 8 for 2nd, etc. No complex handicaps—just pure racing.

  • The Platform: The competition is flown on the Condor Soaring Simulator, renowned for its hyper-realistic physics, weather models, and thermal generation.

  • The Stakes: Pilots qualified through grueling continental series in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe to reach this World Final.

Weekend 1 Recap: The Alps Punish the Pack

The first block of racing took place in the virtual skies of Slovenia and Austria, utilizing the high-performance 18-meter Class JS3-18.

Race 1: Jennen’s Smooth Operator

  • Location: Slovenia (Postojna)

  • The Story: The opener was defined by a stiff 21 km/h South Wind. While the main "gaggle" fought for position on the ridges, Belgian real-world World Champion Jeroen Jennen flew a disciplined race, connecting energy lines through cumulus streets and stayed conservative when it was needed. He crossed the line first, proving that smooth flying beats aggression.

Race 2: The Three-Border Challenge

  • Location: Slovenia / Austria / Italy

  • The Story: A spectacular cross-border task saw the fleet navigating high mountain passes. The crucial moment came at the transition from Austria to Italy. While early leaders got stuck low on the relief, British pilot Sean Churchill found the perfect line over the pass, diving into the Italian valley of Rivoli to claim a tactical victory.


Race 3: The Blue Thermal Gamble

  • Location: Austria (Red Bull Ring)

  • The Story: Launching from the famous F1 circuit at Zeltweg, the fleet faced a mix of thunderstorms and difficult blue thermals. Witold Rozak (Poland), who had been consistent all weekend, made a bold call to fly a direct line through the blue airmass, ignoring the distant clouds that lured others off course. His trust in the airmass paid off, securing him the win and the overall championship lead.


The Standings

Consistency is king in the SGP format. Witold Rozak (POL) currently sits atop the leaderboard. Unlike others who had one win and one bad race, Rozak has been in the fight every single day (2nd, 5th, 1st). He is closely hunted by Nico Bianchi (ITA) and Frank Schwerdtfeger (GER).

How to Follow the Grand Finale

The fleet is now grounded for a mid-competition break. The action resumes in two weeks for the deciding block of races.

The Schedule:

  • Race 4: Friday, February 6th

  • Race 5: Saturday, February 7th

  • The Grand Final: Sunday, February 8th

Where to Watch:

Every race is broadcast LIVE with expert commentary, tracking, and onboard cockpit views.

Whether you are a real-world SGP pilot or a simulation enthusiast, the tactics displayed in this series are a must-watch. Tune in on February 6th to see who will be crowned the 3rd FAI Virtual World Champion.

Antoine Havet
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