34th FAI World Gliding Championships Benalla Australia

WGC Benalla Report from the CD

World and Continental Championships In many ways, the Benalla World Gliding Championships were a big success. We had great support from GFA members with over 70 volunteers spending three weeks to ensure we could put on a good show. Another 30 spent two to five days helping out with a myriad of jobs.

World Champions who competed at WGC2017

World and Continental Championships Including the new Open Class Champion Russell Cheetham who won his first WGC at Benalla, 16 present and past champions competed at WGC Benalla. We were honored to have them. See the completee list below.

WGC Benalla could not have taken place without the nearly 100 people who volunteered their time, effort and talent to run the event.

Every aspect of the championships relied on people to make it all happen. Many of these people were visible to the competitors and public - highly visible - keeping the airfield safe and marshalling the 116 gliders and 16 tugs every day in the heat and dust. Many others served in a variety of roles in the GCV office or from their homes, taking on a wide variety of essential tasks.

Other volunteers worked in the stewards’ offices onsite, scoring the races, logging the aircraft in and out, task setting, weather and much more.

Special thanks to the team of tug pilots and tugmaster who efficiently pulled the gliders into the air each day.

Our technical wizards brought you the terrific, large-format video screens that displayed the Livetracking of the races in the club houses, well as on internet and other AV.

Still more people worked on the video and editorial coverage, the website, social media, marketing and sponsorship. Special mention should be made of two local GCV club members who garnered the support of local businesses to sponsor competing teams and supply a variety of essentials, such as umbrellas, and services as well as sponsorship for the event.

There was also the committee and management, including members of GCV and GFA, who worked tirelessly over many months on the preparation as well as overseeing the championships.

Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to WGC Benalla. The organisers are truly grateful to you.

WGC Benalla Team Cup Scores

World and Continental Championships 34th FAI World Gliding Championships Benalla, Australia 9-21 January 2017 Final Results in the Team Cup

The organisers of WGC Benalla and the Gliding Federation of Australia greatly appreciate your participation in WGC Benalla. We are also grateful for the support and enthusiasm of your teams, team captains, families back home, your national gliding clubs and organisations.

We couldn’t have done it without you!

Thank you for being such great competitors and sportspeople. It was our great pleasure to have you as our guests at WGC Benalla. We look forward to meeting you again soon, on a gliding field somewhere.

All of us who worked as volunteers, members of GCV, visiting pilots and competitors from 27 nations, would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the people of Benalla and the region for their hospitality, understanding and welcome during WGC Benalla.

It must have been trying to have several hundred people speaking numerous languages darting around the town wearing funny hats.

But maybe you enjoyed our company? We certainly enjoyed yours. We especially wish to thank those who shared their homes and friendship with us. Your generosity will never be forgotten.

Thank you for making WGC Benalla a memorable event. We look forward to visiting Benalla again in the gliding seasons to come.

We Love, nous aimons, wir lieben, milujeme, wij houden van, amiamo, Ons is lief vir, me rakastamme, szeretünk, grá againn, 我々は大好き, vi elsker, mes mylime, 我们的爱, мы любим,
milujeme, ljubimo, kochamy Benalla!

https://youtu.be/DfnlpG8eXLw?list=PLdT0_G7yOS7ajsQdZCwVleE0nZ3kDLdk-

Sebastian Kawa 15 M World Gliding Champion Lisa after landing WGC Benalla Sebastian Kawa 15 M World Gliding Champion Lisa after landing WGC Benalla

Before the championship medals were awarded, the finlal day winners received their day win medals.

Photo; Open Class Day winners 21 January
Riccardo Brigliadori, 1st centre, Peter Szabo2nd left, Bruce Taylor 3rd right

https://youtu.be/DfnlpG8eXLw

https://youtu.be/NNR84y_eCy4

Russell Cheetham Open Class World Gliding Champion after landing final day WGC Benalla Russell Cheetham Open Class World Gliding Champion after landing final day WGC Benalla

Champions Declared - Medals Awarded in Three Racing Classes at Sunny Closing Ceremony

World and Continental Championships