On Christmas Day Namibia offered a dream sky with the high clouds that were also arranged in lines over stretches – but unfortunately only in the afternoon. It took patience until the Kalahari had heated up for these high-reaching thermals. Those who started early were forced to struggle in rough lifts under the blue sky, which at first did not reach higher than 1000 meters above ground. After the heat treatment at almost 35 degrees Celsius in the basement, you could freeze in the cloud shade when the outside temperature was well below zero.
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.