The Black Forest Trap: The 4th SGP of Series 13 Arrives in Farrenberg
The FAI Sailplane Grand Prix Series 13 continues this Sunday as the tour arrives at the breathtaking Farrenberg airfield for our fourth qualifying event. Launching from the iconic "Farrenberg aircraft carrier", a spectacular hilltop airfield set deep in the German countryside, 20 elite pilots are preparing to face a uniquely demanding racing environment.
The theme for this week is absolute PRECISION. Welcome to the "Black Forest Trap."
The Return of the Champion
Any preview of the Farrenberg grid must begin with the World No. 1 and former SGP World Champion, Stefan Langer (GER). Competing on home soil, Langer brings unparalleled experience and formidable tactical skill to the starting line. Piloting his highly capable Alexander Schleicher AS 33, his presence sets an exceptionally high bar for the rest of the fleet and serves as the definitive benchmark for the week.
Competing Pilots
| Comp id | Pilot | Nationality | Glider |
|---|---|---|---|
| WV | Joachim Schwenk | 🇩🇪 (DE) | Ventus 3TP |
| RX | Rasmus Ørskov | 🇩🇰 (DK) | JS3 RES |
| VO | Peter Kvistgaard Toft | 🇩🇰 (DK) | ASG29e |
| OT | Conrad Hartter | 🇩🇪 (DE) | JS1c Jet |
| BG | Bernd Gauger | 🇩🇪 (DE) | Ventus 3TP |
| BGI | Maximilian Felix Fuchs-gauger | 🇩🇪 (DE) | Ventus 3M |
| MR | Michael Reiner | 🇨🇭 (CH) | JS3 RES |
| MX | Kai Lindenberg | 🇩🇪 (DE) | ASG29e |
| FUN | Dirk Windmüller | 🇩🇪 (DE) | AS33es |
| L7 | Steffen Schwarzer | 🇩🇪 (DE) | JS3 Jet |
| LB | Uwe Wahlig | 🇩🇪 (DE) | JS3 |
| AT | Tobias Meiler | 🇩🇪 (DE) | Ventus 3TS |
| SF | Stefan Langer | 🇩🇪 (DE) | AS33 Me |
| MM | Peter Millenaar | 🇳🇱 (NL) | JS3 Jet |
| LR | Ulrich Messmer | 🇨🇭 (CH) | JS3 |
| VZ | Peter Cutting | 🇸🇪 (SE) | JS3 RES |
| AS | Mark Käppeli | 🇨🇭 (CH) | JS3 |
| AR | Gintas Zube | 🇱🇹 (LT) | ASG 29E |
| M | Björn Gintzel | 🇩🇪 (DE) | Diana 4 |
| K2 | Arkadiusz Downar | 🇵🇱 (PL) | Diana 4 |
Ones to Watch
While Langer enters as a strong favorite, the grid is packed with seasoned Grand Prix veterans and highly decorated champions ready to challenge for the podium:
Peter Millenaar (NED) & Gintas Zube (LTU): Both pilots bring extensive Sailplane Grand Prix experience to Farrenberg. Their deep understanding of the fast-paced, simultaneous-start SGP format makes them dangerous tactical competitors in the unpredictable Black Forest conditions.
Uwe Wahlig (GER): The 2021 Club Class World Champion is a master of consistency and tactical discipline, but this week marks his first-ever Sailplane Grand Prix appearance. How his traditional competition mastery translates to the aggressive, high-speed SGP format will be one of the most compelling storylines of the event.
A Historic Debut: The Diana 4
The most significant technological storyline of this Grand Prix is undoubtedly the official racing debut of the long-awaited Diana 4. This event marks a major milestone for the sport, as the very first two Diana 4s ever produced take their places on the grid.
Arkadiusz Downar (PL) in contest number K2 and Björn Gintzel (GER) in contest number M will be at the controls. Throughout the week, our media team will be keeping the cameras closely fixed on this new machine. We will be speaking directly with Downar and Gintzel to uncover exactly what sets this glider apart:
Handling: How does the Diana 4 translate to the high-stakes, low-altitude nature of SGP racing?
Aerodynamics: What specific design philosophies define its profile?
Pilot Feel: Why choose this new challenger over the established titans of the sport?
German Engineering vs. The World
The introduction of the Diana 4 sets the stage for a fascinating clash of design philosophies. The Farrenberg grid is packed with the pinnacle of German aviation engineering, most notably the hand-built, highly refined Schempp-Hirth Ventus 3 and the Alexander Schleicher AS 33.
Can the innovative Diana 4 disrupt the dominance of these legendary German manufacturers on their home turf? It is a compelling battle of philosophy, design, and raw performance. Over the coming days, we will let the pilots themselves unpack the nuances and craftsmanship behind these magnificent machines.
Racing commences this Sunday. Join us daily on sgp.aero/germany-2026 for live tracking, pilot interviews, and complete coverage of the Farrenberg Sailplane Grand Prix.
