Stefan Langer Wins Opening Race of the 12th FAI SGP World Final
Saint-Auban, France — Sunday, 24 August 2025
The 12th FAI Sailplane Grand Prix World Final opened in a spectacular way with a thrilling first race over the rugged landscapes of Provence. Under near-perfect soaring conditions, the world’s best glider pilots battled across a 304 km task, delivering a race filled with bold tactical choices, dramatic climbs, and heartbreaking mistakes from Mario and Erik.
The start line saw all pilots launching cleanly although there were some penalties for LB, KW and CT for high speed or high altitude at start. It was Didier Hauss (KW) who made the first decisive move, leading the pack on the opening leg by finding strong energy lines over Vaumase and Les Monges. He held the advantage until the first turnpoint, before opting for a northern route that proved costly. While he and two others lost altitude, the main gaggle climbed strongly on the southern route, topping out at nearly 3,000 m near Pic de Bure — the highest point of the task.
From there, the pace intensified. Maximilian Seis (3V) and Stefan Langer (SF) pushed hard after the second turnpoint, taking the lead as the fleet swept through the middle route to the third and fourth turnpoints. Over Serre de Montdenier, the race turned into a tight tactical duel, with nearly fifteen gliders climbing together before Mario Kiessling (I) launched a daring breakaway.
Kiessling’s aggressive move over the crests of Montdenier initially paid off, but his low turn at the fourth point left him exposed. While he struggled to recover, the main group consolidated altitude and charged forward. Behind them, Erik Borgmann (JG) also pressed hard, briefly taking the virtual lead as he climbed efficiently at Authon.
But in the decisive final glide, it was all about margins. Kiessling, too low after the last turn, was forced off track in a desperate search for lift, while Borgmann misjudged his finish and dropped out of contention. The door opened for the favorites: Stefan Langer (SF) executed a flawless glide to the line, taking the day’s victory at an average speed of 126.1 km/h.
Just seconds behind, Maximilian Seis (3V) secured second place, followed closely by Stanisław Biela (S) in third.
The French contingent also showed promise, with Seis pushing Langer all the way to the line, while compatriot Christophe Abadie (2L) and Adrien Henry (FM) remained in the mix despite finishing further down the order.
Race 1 has set the tone for what promises to be an electrifying week of racing. With Stefan Langer striking first blood, the field knows that consistency — and avoiding costly errors — will be the key to claiming the coveted title of FAI Sailplane Grand Prix World Champion 2025.
Stay tuned today, as the Race 2 briefing is about to begin… we expect a 328km race in the Alps!
