Final sprint: January Run

With 135 kph over 922 kilometers! This is yesterday's performance from Holger and Ilka Back. Their late visit to Namibia meets with cross-country weather in the last week of January, just as one would expect from Africa.

The gliders don’t have to go into the containers for return transport until the day after tomorrow. So two more days with good cloud thermals can be used in Bitterwasser. The weather forecast is excellent. Temperatures will be rising day by day – up to 38 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Advantage of this January thermal: from departure marked updrafts – with base heights in the afternoon at 4000 meters – set the course. Five Arcus teams are still enjoying it in Bitterwasser. But then it's over in Bitterwasser too. Under a great cloudy sky, the containers then go on their journey to Walvisbay for the sea voyage back to Europe, so that they arrive there in time for the new season.

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The gliding season in Bitterwasser turns up again

Although the season in Bitterwasser seems to be coming to an end in mid-January, the weather is at its best. Pilots from all over the world enjoy impressive thermals, breathtaking cross-country flights over 1000 km and a unique community.

1250 km palm tree for Dmitry Borovyk and Anton Minskii

The last season 2023/24 ended with a spectacular highlight for Dmitry Borovyk and Anton Minskii: on the very last day, they managed to fly around three declared turning points that cover an impressive distance of 1250 kilometers. This extraordinary achievement earned them the privilege of planting a palm tree in Bitterwasser - an honor only bestowed on the best pilots. One year later, the two are now returning to Bitterwasser to plant their palm tree in a festive ceremony in keeping with the old Bitterwasser tradition.