Tasks have been set for all three classes on the second competition day of the 40th FAI World Gliding Championships at Częstochowa-Rudniki. Open, 18 Metre, and 20 Metre Multi-Seat pilots will be eyeing substantial routes across central Poland when the start gates open later today.
Open Class — 537.62 km The Open Class task is the longest of the three at 537.62 km, routing north from the start line before the first turnpoint at Biała Rawska. From there the course swings south-west to Bakowice, then makes a long eastward leg to Ossa — the longest single segment on the task at 178.81 km. Gliders then turn south-east to Piotrków Trybunalski, north-west to Świerczów, and home to Częstochowa-Rudniki. It is a six-turnpoint course that ranges broadly across central Poland and will reward pilots who manage their energy well on that extended middle leg.
18 Metre Class — 531.30 km The 18 Metre task covers 531.30 km in the same six-turnpoint format. The route heads north-west to Szlark for the opening leg of 133.24 km, then south-east to Murow before a long eastward push to Jaksonek at 149.54 km — the key leg of the day. From Jaksonek the task turns south to Korytnica, west to Żytno, and back to the airfield. The two longest legs bookend the middle of the task, meaning pilots who find good conditions early and late will be well placed.
.20 Metre Multi-Seat — 510.26 km The 20 Metre Multi-Seat task is set at 510.26 km, shorter than the other two classes but still a full day's work. The route goes north-west to Grabów, south-east to Lisowce, north-east to Włodzimierzów, south to Pińczów, then north-west to an extended eastern gate before the final leg home. On Task 1 yesterday the two-seaters flew an effective distance of around 217 km in a two-hour window, so today's declared 510 km suggests the task setter is anticipating considerably better conditions.
After Race 1
Yesterday's Task 1 gave a clear picture of where the classes stand after the opening day of competition. In Open Class, Felipe Levin won at 120.79 kph over 382 km, with Michael Sommer close behind at 120.13 kph. Aku Jaakkola led the 18 Metre Class home at 116.09 kph, and the 20 Metre Multi-Seat class was headed by Leucker and Omsels at 109.66 kph, just ahead of Jones and Coppin at 109.54 kph. The championship runs until 30 May, so there are plenty of days remaining, but with three non-flying days before competition began and the field eager to race, today's tasks will be welcomed.
Tasks and results at soaringspot.com/en_gb/wgc2026
