July 23-30, 2011
SEIKO Deutschland group attended the FAI Sailpane Grand Prix Final in Wasserkuppe.
Wasserkuppe, Germany
From 23th to 30th of July the Wasserkuppe, the highest mountain of Hesse in Germany, was the location of the FAI Sailpane Grand Prix Final. As SEIKO sponsors the Solar plane icaré 2, one of the world's most advanced gliders, the SEIKO Deutschland group (three retailers and one journalist) were invited to watch the competitions.
After we arrived at Wasserkuppe, we were invited to fly with a sailplane. It was not possible to fly with icaré, as it was only transported there for viewing.
Friday the 29th was “Manufacturer's Day” on Wasserkuppe, so all German glider manufacturers introduced themselves.
Of course icaré 2 was also introduced there. Not only does it fly without the use of any fossil fuel, its self-generated solar power allows it to take off on its own with no winch or other assistance. The glider was developed by Prof. Rudolf Voit-Nitschmann at Stuttgart University and attracted many interested persons.
After the SEIKO group get a very interesting view into the technique of icaré2 from Mr Scholz, one of the chief developers of the solar glider, they enjoyed the sailplane Grand Prix competition in and outside.
It was quite excting, as there was some wind outside and a lot of planes had to land somewhere else but the airfield.
Here guests could watch the pilots
flying above the terrain.
You can see the winner plane arriving at Wasserkuppe.
Georgio Galetto from Italy won the Grand Prix, runner-up was Sebastian Nägel (Germany) and third-place-finisher was Peter Hartmann (Austria). Seiko Germany's general manager Frank Deckert presented the three winner with Seiko Flight-Chronographs.
We thank My Hytten, CEO of Planetair for organizing the whole event.
