British Glider Aerobatic Championship, 2025 results
Some may know that I enjoy reading the weather - I was in clover as CD of the 2025 Glider Aerobatic Nationals!
Over our two days, we had to face down an unstable airmass around a low pressure system firing off showers, cunims, and nearby troughlines - all mixed up with a "brisk wind". The wind direction was fortunately in our favour - almost straight down the strip.
Friday started with some seriously gusty conditions as convection started low down...no flying at first...but bit by bit the sun came out, the airmass dried out, the cloudbase went up, the turbulence from the convection eased off - and, hey presto!, by 1330 we were flying in far nicer conditions...from doom to zoom. 20 aerobatic flights safely completed by just before sunset - "split" flights whereby each of 6 Sports and 4 Intermediate competitors performed their sequences in two parts from tows to 2,500'.
From my standpoint, the flying and operation was seriously impressive. A range of beautiful, poetic flights efficiently launched by competitors working collaboratively with members of the fantastic Buckminster Gliding Club, led at the launchpoint by Keith Ford. Jed Edyvean in the tug - a former National Champion in cross-country gliding - worked cheerfully and professionally to get each glider into the air just at the right point - as well as being a great point of counsel for me around the weather.
Observing the flying in detail was our expert panel of judges led by Andy Cunningham working with Charles Baker and Graham Saw.
On Friday evening, I sighed with relief. Program 1 was "done" in both classes. There were some impressive scores - with Neil Oakley and Seb Brown leading Intermediate and Sports respectively with over 80%. And so to Saturday...
Briefing at 0800. Serious showers and troughlines forecast. But we got lucky and the airmass remained largely dry around Saltby. The Intermediates got their Unknown done as "splits" as the cloudbase rose, leading to "full" flights for the Sports competitors by early afternoon. By just before 1500, we were complete. Again, Jed got the towing spot on.
The overall results reflect many things. They reflect some excellent flying by the competitors - congratulations to them all, in particular our National Champions Neil and Seb who held it together so well on Day 2 to win overall. They also reflect a visible and impressive continued renaissance in UK glider aerobatics - underpinned by tireless work from a range of people including Neil, Steve Todd, Guy Westgate and many others.
I really do sense momentum in glider aerobatics - underpinned by an attitude amongst pilots of wanting to get better but to work effectively with their compatriots to raise their game collectively: "a rising tide floats all boats" (so to speak). It was a privilege to be part of this event.
Huge thanks on behalf of us all to Buckminster Gliding Club - in particular Keith who was highly supportive and helpful both before and during the event; and the catering team who fed everyone throughout each day. Heartfelt thanks also to our judges and their scribes; to Jed; to Merlin Ohta who scored and video'd on the Saturday; to Steve Todd and Steve Green "behind the scenes", Steve Todd arranging a RA(T) for the event - and to the pilots for being a really positive and professional group.
In truth, I think I also need to thank the weather! On the Sunday, we could see cunims dotted around the horizon, but somehow they let us be...maybe a good omen for the future of glider aerobatics in the UK?
Paul Brice, Contest Director
