SGP returns to British Skies
Lasham, UK, 05/06/2026 - The first practice launches of the FAI Sailplane Grand Prix of the UK at Lasham are officially in the books, marking the early stage of a week of head-to-head racing.
Due to the exceptionally high demand to fly a Grand Prix event at Lasham (the world's largest gliding club!) this year's competition features two different class. To accommodate the interest, the field has been divided into two categories: the official Series 13 Qualifying event will be fiercely contested in the Standard/15m Class, while an unofficial Lasham Grand Prix will run concurrently for the larger 18m and 20m gliders.
Practice Day Insights: Testing the British Skies
Today’s weather presented a classic array of challenges, characteristic of the fast and technical conditions that define UK soaring. However, these demanding skies proved to be an excellent introduction to Grand Prix racing, particularly for our visiting international competitors.
Pilots from Germany, alongside Polish contenders, used the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the unique demands of the Hampshire terrain.
Standard/15m Class: A Triumphant First Flight
In the official Standard and 15m Class, the tricky weather separated the fleet, resulting in just two finishers successfully navigating the training task.
Howard Jones: Crossed the line first, demonstrating exceptional skill and tactical precision in his Discus 2a.
Hugh Miller: Secured a highly commendable finish in his LS3. Notably, today marked Miller's very first Grand Prix flight, making his successful completion of the challenging task an outstanding personal achievement.
Lasham Grand Prix (18m/20m Class)
The concurrent, unofficial Lasham Grand Prix saw equally tough and tactical racing for the larger wingspan competitors.
Martin Clark: Emerged as the sole finisher, bringing his JS1 home after a determined and resilient flight in challenging conditions.
Looking Ahead
As every seasoned glider pilot knows, the British weather is a dynamic player. While tomorrow's forecast isn't currently looking favourable for another practice day, aviation forecasts can shift quickly. The full grid of world-class competitors remains on standby, ready to refine their strategies before official contest flying commences on June 7.
Stay tuned to sgp.aero for further updates as we build towards the official start of the competition. For exclusive behind-the-scenes content, real-time action, and event updates throughout the week, be sure to follow the official FAI Sailplane Grand Prix social media pages.
