The Sailplane Grand Prix of Poland Wraps Up Season 12 Qualifiers
As the final qualifying event of the 12th Sailplane Grand Prix series, the SGP of Poland in Nowy Targ delivered an unforgettable week of soaring drama, elite piloting, and breathtaking competition. Following the action-packed Dutch SGP, the eyes of the soaring world turned to the Tatra Mountains, where some of the sport’s best glider pilots gathered for one last chance to secure a coveted place in the FAI/IGC World Final in St-Auban this August.
A Grand Start with Fierce Speeds
From Day 1 on 25 May, the tone was set with a demanding 384 km task, and it was Polish pilot Stanisław Biela who immediately established his dominance, flying at 128.5 km/h to secure the win and 10 points. Close behind were Tilo Holighaus (GER) and Christoph Matkowski (POL), proving early on that the competition would be tight and tactical.
Tactical Challenges and Leaderboard Shifts
The following days brought shifting conditions and new leaders. Gintas Zube of Lithuania took the top spot on Day 2 after a razor-close finish, pushing himself up the leaderboard. With Didier Hauss (FRA) and Biela in hot pursuit, the top three after Day 2 were separated by just four points — foreshadowing the tension to come.
Day 3 introduced even trickier weather and slower average speeds, creating opportunities for less-expected names to shine. Leszek Staryszak took the win, while Zdzisław Bednarczuk and Bogdan Dorozko completed the top three — shaking up the overall standings and keeping the leaderboard volatile.
Then came the high-speed showdown on Day 4: with average speeds reaching 132 km/h, multiple World Champion Sebastian Kawa made his move and claimed his first win of the week. Biela and Luka Žnidaršič followed closely, but every second now counted with qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
Nail-Biting Finish: Every Second, Every Meter
Day 5 on 30 May brought another twist in the tale. A 269 km route through unstable conditions challenged the precision and stamina of every pilot. Marek Sawczuk claimed his first daily win despite a penalty for a low finish, while Bednarczuk and Kawa rounded out the podium. A few finish height infractions shuffled standings further — a reminder of how unforgiving SGP rules can be.
Heading into the final race on 31 May, the top positions were still undecided. The tension was palpable as the final scores would determine not only the winner of SGP Poland but also who would advance to the World Final.
Final Results: Poland’s Biela and Lithuania’s Zube Punch Tickets to the Final
After six days of exhilarating racing, Stanisław Biela of Poland emerged victorious with 37 points, earning his place in the World Final and thrilling the home crowd. Close behind was Gintas Zube of Lithuania with 35 points, also clinching his qualification.
The final standings:
🥇 Stanisław Biela (POL) – 37 pts → Qualified
🥈 Gintas Zube (LTU) – 35 pts → Qualified
🥉 Sebastian Kawa (POL) – 25 pts
4️⃣ Marek Sawczuk (POL) – 25 pts
Notably, it was a dramatic twist of fate that saw IGC World #1 Sebastian Kawa fall just short of automatic qualification — a reminder of how fiercely contested and unpredictable the Sailplane Grand Prix series can be.
A Salute to Excellence
The FAI Sailplane Grand Prix extends its deepest thanks to the Polish organizers, local volunteers, and the Nowy Targ gliding community for their outstanding support and hospitality. Their efforts ensured that this final qualifying Grand Prix was not only a sporting success but also a celebration of the gliding spirit.
With the qualifiers now complete, all eyes turn to St-Auban, France, where the world's top glider pilots will battle for the ultimate title at the SGP World Final. Stay tuned for the full list of qualified pilots and get ready for the climax of Season 12!
👉 Full results and standings from the Poland SGP
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