Pilots DSGP — Sailplane Grand Prix

The DSGP Pilots

Stefan Langer began his gliding journey at the age of 14 and has now been flying for nearly 18 years. Known not only as a passionate pilot but also as a creator who shares his love for soaring with the world, Stefan is returning to the Sailplane Grand Prix circuit with both experience and enthusiasm.

Already qualified for the Grand Prix Final in St. Auban this August—thanks to his strong performance at the previous final in Pavullo—Stefan is joining the Dutch Sailplane Grand Prix simply for the fun of it. The chance to fly with a world-class field of competitors is always valuable, and Stefan sees every event as an opportunity to learn, grow, and enjoy the thrill of racing.

Plane: AS33 Me
# IGC ranking: 2
Country: Germany

Jeroen Verkuijl has been flying since 1991, accumulating countless memorable moments in the air over the past 33 years. He considers the Sailplane Grand Prix a fantastic format for competitive flying. After previously participating in a GP in France, he is excited to take part in the very first GP in the Netherlands.

Plane: JS-MD 3
# IGC ranking: 12
Country: The Netherlands

Tijl Schmelzer has been gliding since 1998, but his journey in the cockpit began much earlier— as a baby on his father’s lap while his grandfather piloted the aircraft. With approximately 3,600 flight hours, soaring has been an integral part of his life from the very start.

Competing since 2001, Tijl has represented Belgium in numerous regional, national, and world championships as part of the Belgian Gliding Team. >> Read more about Tijl on our DSGP Facebook page or Instagram page

Plane: Ventus-3TS
# IGC ranking: 153
Country: Belgium

Roelof Corporaal started gliding at just 14 years old, beginning his gliding journey at the Friese Aero Club in Leeuwarden. Now, at 36, his passion for soaring remains as strong as ever. Since joining the Gelderse Zweefvliegclub at Terlet in early 2020, he has expanded his cross-country flying experience, made many new friends, and discovered a love for instructing new glider pilots. Flying over the breathtaking Veluwe landscape continues to be a privilege he deeply appreciates.

Plane: JS3
# IGC ranking: 122
Country: The Netherlands

Tobias Meiler began flying gliders shortly after turning 14, meaning he has been flying for nearly 30 years. The Dutch Sailplane Grand Prix is an exciting new opportunity for him, as he loves the Grand Prix format and has never flown in the Netherlands before. Although this will be his first time soaring through Dutch skies, Tobias has already shared many great moments with Dutch pilots in the past.

Plane: Ventus 3Ts
# IGC ranking: 408
Country: Germany

Hermann Leucker started gliding in 1973 at Kamp-Lintfort, close to the Dutch border, earning his license in 1976. With decades of experience, gliding has become a central part of his life, and he regularly competes in Grand Prix events.

Hermann particularly enjoys the international aspect of the Grand Prix format, as it enables him to meet fellow pilots and explore local gliding communities abroad. He has previously flown in Grand Prix competitions in the UK, Poland, Sweden, and Italy and organises a Training Grand Prix each spring at his home airfield in Leverkusen.

Plane: JS3
# IGC ranking: 116
Country: Germany

Sebastian Beule began gliding right after his 14th birthday and has since logged over 3,000 hours in the cockpit. He competes in the Dutch Sailplane Grand Prix for practical and competitive reasons. The competition takes place close to home, in familiar and easy terrain, and fits nicely into his schedule. But beyond that, he’s eager to gain experience competing abroad.

While he doesn’t have a specific goal, his main focus is to enjoy the competition both in and outside the cockpit. Of course, scoring points is always part of the game, but he also looks forward to improving his skills by flying against such talented pilots.

Plane: Ventus 3M
# IGC ranking: 391
Country: Germany

Stephan Grunder has been soaring through the skies since age 15 and has been a dedicated member of the Twentsche Zweefvlieg Club since he first started gliding in 1988. Over the years, he has developed a passion for both competition flying and instruction, two aspects of the sport that continue to inspire him.

For Stephan, the competitive element of gliding makes racing so exciting. Competing provides a thrilling challenge and offers the chance to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. In recent years, he has also grown to enjoy long-distance cross-country flying, expanding his appreciation for gliding beyond just competition.

Plane: ASG29E
# IGC ranking: 309
Country: the Netherlands

François Delfosse started gliding 30 years ago, accumulating around 2,500 flight hours over the years. Unlike many of his peers, he began relatively late. In 2001, he started cross-country flying at the age of 22, and by 2008, he entered his first competition. His dedication and passion for the sport eventually led him to compete at the 2016 World Gliding Championships in Benalla.

Competing in a Grand Prix has long been a goal for François, as he believes the format aligns perfectly with his flying style. It encourages a more aggressive approach, rewarding bold moves over cautious waiting, and outlandings carry fewer penalties than traditional racing. He's eager to experience the fast-paced, high-intensity nature of the competition firsthand.

Plane: JS3
# IGC ranking: 83
Country: Belgium

Peter Millenaar’s passion for aviation started early—so early that he couldn’t wait to begin gliding. He started flying at Hoogeveen in 2001 at just 12 years old, making his first solo flight on his 14th birthday. His gliding license arrived in the mail two weeks before he turned 16, and by 17, he was already competing. Since then, he has participated in eight European and World Gliding Championships and continues to enjoy every moment in the air. When he's not flying gliders, he works as a Captain on the Boeing 747, travelling the world.

Plane: JS3 JET
# IGC ranking: 33
Country: the Netherlands

Dennis Huybreckx has been flying for 25 years, but his connection to the sport goes back even further—he grew up in a gliding family and took his first flights at a young age. Gliding has always been a part of his life, and over the years, he has built up a deep passion for the sport and especially for competition flying.

He’s participating in the Dutch Sailplane Grand Prix because he loves racing and sees the unique opportunity this event offers. As this is the very first SGP in the Benelux, Dennis was determined to be part of it.

Plane: Ventus-3TS
# IGC ranking: 55
Country: Belgium

Jelmer Vis has been gliding since 2012. With a love for speed and strategic racing, the Sailplane Grand Prix format feels like a natural fit for his flying style.
For Jelmer, the appeal of the SGP format lies in its fast-paced tasks, optimized for the best weather window, and the fact that a single bad day doesn’t ruin the entire competition. This style of flying aligns perfectly with his personal ambition to add more Dutch speed records to his name.

Plane: Ventus-3TS
# IGC ranking: 302
Country: the Netherlands

For Conrad Hartter, the dream of flying started long before he ever sat in a cockpit. As he says, he’s been flying in his dreams for as long as he can remember—with and without airplanes. He began gliding at 15 years old and soloed exactly 50 years ago.

In 1979, Conrad borrowed a rebuilt K6 from Biggo Berger—later known through Schempp-Hirth—and flew in the German Junior Nationals, finishing 2nd and being named Junior Talent of the Year at age 20. But with a growing interest in travel and the chance to become a Lufthansa pilot, he stepped back from competitive gliding.

Plane: JS1C
# IGC ranking: 193
Country: Germany

Hadriaan Van Nes began gliding in 1985, the year he turned 16. Determined to pursue his passion, he took on a morning paper route—spending every earned cent on gliding flights later in the day. Since then, soaring has remained a central part of his life.

The Dutch Sailplane Grand Prix will be Hadriaan’s first time competing in the SGP format, and he’s excited to experience this new style of racing. He’s looking forward to meeting new pilots, reconnecting with familiar faces, and enjoying the thrill of high-level gliding competition.

Plane: JS1b TJ
# IGC ranking: 111
Country: the Netherlands

Dirk Windmüller started gliding in 1989 at the gliding club in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany. Dirk enjoys Grand Prix flying for its direct and dynamic competition style. With the regatta start, there’s no room for early tactical games—everyone begins equally, and from the first thermal onward, every decision counts. The format encourages offensive flying, fast decision-making, and continuous learning from others in the air. Often, the final glide comes down to just seconds, making every race intense and rewarding.

Plane: AS33Es
# IGC ranking: 156
Country: Germany

Nick Hanenburg has been gliding since 2007 at Zweefvliegclub Deelen. Over the years, he has represented the Netherlands in numerous competitions. He spent six years on the Dutch Junior Gliding Team, taking part in three Junior World Gliding Championships, and was also a member of the Dutch Gliding Team for several years, competing in two World Gliding Championships.

Now, he’s taking on a new challenge: the Dutch Sailplane Grand Prix. For Nick, it’s an opportunity he couldn’t miss—the biggest gliding event in the Netherlands this millennium. Having grown up hearing stories of the first JWGC in 1999 at Terlet, it was clear from the start that he wanted to be part of this historic event.

Plane: JS3 RES
# IGC ranking: 194
Country: the Netherlands

THE PILOTS & THE ORGANIZING TEAM OF THE DUTCH SAILPLANE GRAND PRIX

The DSGP Pilots

The DSGP Team

CONTACT: info@sgp.aero

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