24 June 2003
The UK has earned the right to hold a world gliding championships for the first time in 40 years.
The World Junior Gliding Championships will be held at The Soaring Centre, near Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire, in 2005.
The UK last hosted a world event at South Cerney, Gloucestershire, in 1965 when British pilots came 5th, 6th, 7th and 9th. Since then the UK has not been a favoured country for international events because of preconceptions about the British weather.
The UK has, however, excelled in international events held across the world in the intervening years and produced several world champions. The British teams, both senior and junior, are now considered among the best in the world.
Commenting on the FAI’s decision to accept a bid for a World Championships, British Gliding Association Chairman David Roberts said: “I am delighted that we have been successful in bringing top international gliding competition to the UK. The Soaring Centre offers some of the best gliding facilities in the country and we are confident that we can stage an excellent event in the English skies.”
The World Junior Championships attracts young pilots up to, and including the age of 25. At the last event in France in 2001, British pilot Jay Rebbeck won the Standard Class. The championships are held every two years and will this year take place at Nitra, Slovakia, with 101 competitors.
More details at <a href=”http://www.gliding.co.uk” target=”_blank”>www.gliding.co.uk</a>
