Claes Gefvenberg

The world gliding championships of 2007, held at Ekeby airfield in Eskilstuna

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Sorry if a stupid question, but; what is the measure of success for gliding? How do you earn a medal?
Is it based on distance of glide within different glider 'classes'?
 
Not a stupid question at all: We compete by racing over a set course with specified turning points, ideally bringing everybody back to base. It is quite normal, however, that a fair percentage of the competitors are forced to make off field landings. The weather forecast, the performance of the gliders and the experience level of the pilots decide the length of the task, and a flawed forecast sometimes means that most or even all competitors fail to complete the course. Time on course is measured from when each pilot leaves the start zone until they finish, and the pilot with the highest average speed earns 1000 points including points for start and finish.

There are different classes (see wikipedia):
Open Class, places no restrictions except a limit of 850 kg to the maximum all-up mass.
Standard Class, restricted to a maximum wing-span of 15 metres and fixed wing sections (flaps or other lift-enhancing devices not allowed), maximum all-up mass 525 kg.
15 metre Class, as Standard Class but with lift-enhancing devices allowed, maximum all-up mass 525 kg.
18 metre Class, as the 15 metre Class with wing-spans up to 18 metres, maximum all-up mass 600 kg.
20 metre Two-Seater Class, restricted to a maximum wing-span of 20 metres, maximum all-up mass 750 kg.
Club Class, allows a wide range of older small gliders within a specified range of performances.

/Claes
 

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