Welcome to WGC Narromine 2023!
On behalf of the Australian gliding community, it’s my pleasure to welcome all competitors, spectators, and organisers who will be participating in the 37th FAI World Gliding Championships in Narromine in November/December 2023.
It’s not often that Australia has the opportunity to host the Worlds, so we’re very excited to be running the event this year, and I feel hugely privileged to have been appointed to the role of Competition Director. We expect around 80 pilots from around the world to travel to Narromine and compete in what we expect will be sensational weather conditions, so it should be an absolutely spectacular event!
Of course, running an event of this nature is a huge team effort. We have a team of over 50 volunteers from across Australia (and the Czech Republic!) covering all aspects of the competition, from administration and events through to scrutineering, tasking, and flight operations. There isn’t room here for me to name and thank everyone who has been and will be contributing their time and expertise to the competition, but it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge Deputy Competition Director Beryl Hartley. Beryl was absolutely key to bringing the event to Australia, and she is continuing to do an extraordinary amount of work on the ground to ensure we host a successful competition.
We’re pulling out all stops to make this a great event – our catch cry for the competition is “Safe, Fair and Fun”. We hope that the Australian gliding community will support the event either by coming along to Narromine, or by following the competition on Soaring Spot or LiveGliding.
Michael Durrant
Competition Director
WELCOME!
To all involved, soaring enthusiasts from around the world, welcome to the 37th FAI International World Gliding Championships in the charming town of Narromine, NSW!
We're absolutely thrilled to have you all here, in the land down under. On behalf of Gliding Australia, I extend our warmest welcome and gratitude for joining us, as Australia couldn't be prouder to host this prestigious event on our home turf, and we're excited to showcase the beauty of Australian skies.
I acknowledge Competition Director Mike Durrant, Deputy Competition Director Beryl Hartley, and all the unsung heroes it requires to stage this event, the Officials and Volunteers.
As we celebrate the pinnacle of gliding excellence in our skies, let's not overlook the thousands of hours, sweat, and maybe even a few tears, that each one of you has poured into preparing for this championship. The countless days, the meticulous planning, and the persistent pursuit of perfection – it's all led you to this moment.
But here's the thing, folks – this championship isn't just about the competition. It's about the camaraderie that transcends borders, the friendships that form at altitude, and the shared passion that unites us all. Let's embrace the spirit of sportsmanship, support each other, and share a laugh or two along the way, and may the best TEAM and individuals win.
Good luck and safe flying to all!
Doug Flockhart
CEO Gliding Australia