Albuquerque Soaring Club
A sailplane race typically lasts five to ten
days, with competition each day the weather is suitable. Each day involves a
race from the home airport, around turnpoints, and back to the home field. In weak weather the course might be as little as 50 miles. In excellent
weather it could be 300 miles or more. The longest task in any U.S. competition
to date has been 626 miles - 17 pilots completed it. The pilot who flies the
fastest is the winner and typically receives 1000 points; others receive fewer
points based on the speed or distance they achieve. The contest winner is the
pilot with the greatest point total at the end of the competition.
Regional competitions are held all across the country,
typically lasting 5 to 7 days and involving 25 to 50 gliders in several
competition classes. A National Championship competition is held for each class
each year. National competitions last 10 days and typically include 20 to 50
gliders.
Competition pilots are amateurs who compete not for monetary
rewards, but simply out of love for the sport. Those who do well in National
competitions are eligible for selection to the U.S. Soaring Team, which competes
in World Gliding Competitions (held every other year).