The first part of the route led at a fairly low altitude towards the south-east, close to the Botswana border. From there, the route headed back to the northwest, past Mariental, to the striking convergence in the west. The last leg ran south along this impressive weather line until shortly before Helmeringhausen, before returning to Bitterwasser.
The idea of celebrating outstanding flights by planting palm trees dates back to 1972, when Peter Kayssler, the founder of the Bitterwasser gliding center, established this unique tradition. Initially, palm trees were planted for diamonds flown and world records. Later, from 1984, achieving the 1,000 km FAI diploma also became part of this honor. Since 2019, there have also been palm trees for flights over 1,250 km in accordance with FAI diploma rules. Today, more than 250 palms line the famous allée.
We congratulate the two of them on their great success and wish them many more unforgettable flights in Bitterwasser.
In early September, the containers holding the gliders for the 2026/27 season were loaded in Waghäusel. Transported by trailer, truck, and cargo ship, the gliders are now on their long journey to Namibia, to the Bitterwasser Flying Lodge.
The Bitterwasser Flying Lodge was the main sponsor of the Junior World Gliding Championships, where from August 2 to 17, 2026, around 80 pilots from 22 nations competed for the titles in the Standard and Club classes. The grand prize for the JWGC winners was a one-week stay at the lodge, including travel and an airplane.