After ten days of competition, the winners were determined: In the Standard Class, defending champion Max Maslak once again set the standard, finishing ahead of Patrick Benoist and Lasse Edslev; in the Club Class, the youngest pilot, 18-year-old Max Scutchings from Australia, claimed victory with ease, ahead of Nicolas Caudrelier and Nils Zitzelsberger.
For two weeks, the Aalen organizers treated the visiting teams to a championship in a class of its own, featuring challenging tasks, a high level of professionalism, and a great atmosphere. Bitterwasser Director Rainer Hog personally presented the prizes to the two young pilots at the awards ceremony: “Their performances were truly outstanding; the victory is more than well-deserved. I’m already looking forward to welcoming them to Bitterwasser next season.”
The world-famous gliding area was already the center of attention at the Bitterwasser evening on August 6: Stefan Langer gave an inspiring presentation featuring breathtaking images. Rainer Hog answered specific questions about a visit in detail and, as usual, with a twinkle in his eye.
The Junior World Championships were an all-around successful event, and Rainer expressed great satisfaction on the closing night: “I’m truly proud that we were able to present Bitterwasser as a partner and main sponsor in such an outstanding setting. The next season is just around the corner, and the two world champion Maxes will enjoy their time among the many top-notch and enthusiastic pilots.
A stay at the Bitterwasser Lodge is usually beyond the financial means of young pilots. At the same time, the next generation is the key to the future of our wonderful sport—and of the lodge as well. That is why supporting young pilots is a core part of the Bitterwasser Flying Center’s mission.
Early October is the ideal time to prepare the runways for flight operations. You can land at the Bitterwasser Flying Lodge in every which direction—depending on how you look at it, on 8 runways (plus one emergency runway), each in two directions. Jeremias carefully levels the landing area over the course of several weeks.