A Historic Achievement at the 2024 Junior World Gliding Championships

By Eric Tellmann

In July 2024, the U.S. Soaring Team made a remarkable appearance at the Junior World Gliding Championships held in Ostrów, Poland. For the first time in U.S. history, a pilot, Thomas Greenhill, brought home a silver medal, soaring to victory in the Standard Class aboard his Discus 2a. Greenhill’s achievement marked a milestone for the team and demonstrated the growing prowess of American gliders on the world stage.

The journey to Ostrów was an adventure in itself, as each pilot and their designated crew traveled to different destinations across Europe to collect their gliders from various countries before converging in Poland. The event attracted pilots from 21 countries, all eager to compete at the highest level of gliding.

The championship began with several practice days, allowing pilots to familiarize themselves with the local conditions. Once the official competition started, the atmosphere was charged with racing excitement. Pilots flew challenging tasks each day, often covering 500 kilometers (310 miles) on multiple tasks, with distances adjusted based on the weather conditions. Each flight averaged 6-7 hours, demanding skill, endurance, and precise navigation.

When pilots ran out of favorable soaring conditions and were unable to complete the day’s task, they would land in open fields. In such cases, the ground crew would quickly spring into action, hooking up the car to the trailer, using GPS to locate the pilot, and finding the best entry point to the field. Upon arrival, the crew would assess the situation and determine how best to disassemble the glider for transport back to the airfield.

After each flight, pilots submitted their flight recorder files for review. Once the scorers analyzed these files and calculated the results, the scores were posted, and pilots eagerly shared their flight experiences with one another, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared learning.

A highlight of the event was the traditional international night, where each country’s team prepared dishes representative of their home cuisine. The U.S. team served pulled pork sliders topped with RockStar Donuts BBQ sauce, classic s’mores, and Jack and Cokes. Their offerings were a huge hit, creating buzz and setting the stage for the next day’s flying.

The 2024 Junior World Gliding Championships were a memorable experience, marked by historic achievements, cultural exchange, and the thrill of competition. As the U.S. team reflects on their success, they look forward to soaring to even greater heights in future championships, including Germany 2026.