Skyrace 2025: New Fun in old Plastic

From December 27, 2024, to January 5, 2025, the skies over Leeton’s Brobenah Airfield buzzed with the energy of Skyrace 2025.  With outstanding weather, a vibrant social atmosphere, and a strong international showing, this year’s event reminded us all why gliding is as much about the people as it is about the sport.

Racing in Perfect Conditions

Skyrace is all about good old-fashioned racing—no egos, just the joy of soaring and a healthy dose of competition. This year, Mother Nature smiled on the event, delivering some of the best conditions we’ve seen in years. Pilots took to the air on 8 out of the 10 competition days, with thermals pushing them to altitudes of over 10,000 feet. While the early part of the event lacked cumulus clouds, the clear blue skies were perfect for fast, clean, and tactical flying.

The Competition

With 24 pilots split into two groups, the mix of experienced flyers and first-timers made for a dynamic competition:

• F1 Group: Featuring 14 pilots in classic gliders like Libelles, LS1s, and Jantars, with handicaps ranging from 0.98 to 1.02.
• F2 Group: 10 pilots flying higher-performance gliders like LS4s and ASW20s, with handicaps from 1.03 to 1.08.

The racing was tight, with pilots pushing their machines and themselves to the limit. The live tracking with SkyMate Trackers allowed spectators to follow every move, adding an exciting real-time element to the event.

The event also saw incredible performances from international competitors, with pilots from New Zealand, the UK, and Germany adding flair and diversity to the competition.

Personal Bests and First-Timers

One of the highlights of Skyrace is seeing pilots achieve personal milestones, and this year didn’t disappoint. From seasoned competitors to first-timers, the personal bests were flying as high as the gliders:

• Leonie Furze clocked an impressive 116 kph.
• Zenon Bussenschutt hit 120 kph.
• Sarah Thompson reached a soaring 124 kph.
• Jared Bignell, competing in his first event, achieved 102 kph—a fantastic debut!

A Social Soaring Festival

What sets Skyrace apart from other competitions is its social atmosphere. From the moment you arrived at the airfield, the camaraderie was palpable. Thanks to Sarah Streifeneder, who masterfully organized the social side of the event, the evenings were as lively as the racing. Pilots swapped stories, shared tips, and celebrated each day’s achievements over food, drinks, and laughter.

The hospitality of the Leeton Aviators Group was second to none. Their airfield, clubhouse, and beautifully maintained grounds provided the perfect backdrop for the event. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the dedicated tug pilots who kept the competition running smoothly.