Tom Arscott Triumphs in Final Day Decider to Claim British Grand Prix Championship
13/06/2026 - Lasham, UK - The 13th Series FAI Sailplane Grand Prix at Lasham culminated in a spectacular, high-stakes final showdown. After a week plagued by unpredictable British weather and consecutive cancellations, everything came down to one final race. The equation was simple: with just a single point separating the top two pilots going into the day, the winner of this final task would secure the title and punch their ticket to the World Final in Vitacura, Chile.
A Fast, Dual-Lap Final Task
With the weather finally cooperating, the race organizers set an innovative 153.47 km task featuring two laps over the Hampshire countryside. This compact, multi-lap format kept the tactical pressure high, giving crew members and spectators a front-row seat to the final aerial chess match.
The tugs were warmed up early, the grid launched smoothly, and the pilots headed out into a difficult "blue" sky, meaning pure thermal soaring without the aid of cumulus clouds to mark where the rising air was. Navigating in the blue requires immense discipline, precision, and a keen ability to read the terrain below.
Arscott Dominates the Blue to Take the Crown
The race turned into a tactical masterclass by Tom Arscott, piloting his Ventus 2a (Callsign: DW). Reading the invisible lift perfectly, Arscott broke away from the pack to not only cross the line first to claim the day win but also secure the crucial bonus point.
His flawless performance on the final day completely reshaped the top of the leaderboard. Overturning the single-point deficit he held behind Oliver Ramsay, Arscott surged into the lead to be crowned the official Champion of the 2026 FAI Sailplane Grand Prix at Lasham.
Final Overall SGP Class Podium:
In the concurrent Legacy Grand Prix (18m/20m Class), Tony Cook successfully defended his lead to take the overall competition win, rounding out a highly competitive week for both classes.
A Heartfelt Thank You from Lasham
While the competition did not enjoy as many racing days as the organizers would have liked, the event was a resounding success in spirit. The British weather is the one variable beyond anyone's control, but it failed to dampen the camaraderie and competitive drive of the grid.
The Lasham organizing team extends a huge thank you to all the competitors across both classes who traveled from across Europe to compete in the UK. Your enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and unwavering commitment to the sport made this Grand Prix a truly fantastic occasion.
Congratulations to Tom Arscott on a spectacular victory, and to all the pilots who flew hard, outlanded safely, and kept the spirit of Grand Prix racing alive. We look forward to welcoming the international soaring community back to the skies of Lasham in the future. Next stop for our champion: the World Final in Chile!
