Pavullo, Italy – The excitement reached its peak in Race 6 of the 2nd FAI Virtual Sailplane Grand Prix as pilots battled it out for supremacy in the skies above Pavullo, Italy. With the final race, Race 7, on the horizon, the competition was fiercer than ever.

Hosted by enthusiastic commentators, the race kicked off with a promising start. A familiar sight, the pilots set out on their journey with Aquaria as their initial Start Point. However, what awaited them was a challenging route through the Italian skies.

The racecourse took them northwest towards the first Tunrpoint (and furthest point), Bardi, a daunting 91 kilometers away. Afterward, they had to navigate 21 kilometers to reach the Solignano field, strategically positioned close to TP1. The next checkpoint was Giogio, nestled in the picturesque Mugello valley, but they had to cross the valley where the highway between Bologna and Firenze lies, on their way there. After this TP3, they had to come back towards Mirage, the well-know Reporting Point for the pilots and the fans now.. before going for a 6km glide to Pavullo Airfield.

Weather-wise, the pilots enjoyed optimal conditions with robust thermals ranging between two to four meters per second and the possibility of even reaching five meters per second at their best. The ceiling hovered around 2000 to 2300 meters, ensuring they had the opportunity to make tactical decisions.

As the race unfolded, it was evident that this race would not be without its challenges. Commentators urged the pilots to exercise caution, as these thermals were exceptionally strong, providing an abundance of energy. There was a risk of overshooting and misjudging their ascents. But there was risk as well to push to hard… ending your chances to win the day, with a potentiel outlanding.

The race's early stage saw David Redman from Australia take the lead, skillfully navigating his way to the front of the pack. The view from Wojciech Soltysik’s cockpit offered a spectacular glimpse of the competition below. Behind him, Arne-Martin Guettler and Joshua Arntz were locked in fierce pursuit.

The main pack displayed a mix of strategies, some opting for more conservative flight paths, while others attempted to make early moves. The winds played a crucial role, blowing at (only) nine kilometers per hour and affecting the pilots' decisions.

Excitement built as the pilots had to decide when and where to catch thermals, with a focus on not missing any opportunities. With the strong thermals available, there was a clear need to maintain awareness of other pilots and respect their presence during these crucial moments.

As the race progressed, the stakes grew higher. Four pilots – Witold Rozak, Zbyszek Tkocz, Ben Fest and Donat-Pierre Luigi – faced unexpected outlandings, shattering their hopes of clinching the World Champion title. The top contenders have given up. The reigning World Champion Ben Fest (GER) has lost his crown. This unexpected development opened doors for others to seize the championship.

Amid the competition, it became apparent that the pilots needed to keep their altitude above 1300 meters to avoid falling behind. Every decision carried weight, and they had to make smart choices to stay competitive.

Despite the challenging conditions, David Redman's impressive performance earned him the title of Race 6 winner. His calculated flight plan and strategic decisions paid off, placing him at the top of the podium.

Arne-Martin Guettler secured the second position, adding valuable points to his tally, while Joshua Arntz claimed the third spot, displaying exceptional flying skills.

As the race concluded, the overall leaderboard witnessed a significant shift. Arne-Martin Guettler's strong performance in Race 6 propelled him to the top spot with 31 points, setting the stage for an intense showdown in the final race, Race 7.

With the championship still up for grabs, fans and pilots eagerly await the last race to determine who will emerge as the Champion of the 2nd FAI Virtual Sailplane Grand Prix - World Final 2023. Stay tuned for the grand finale of this thrilling competition, where the fate of the championship will be sealed in the skies above Pavullo, Italy.

Livestreaming will start at 18h00 UTC - 2 september 2023.