Two TIGRA task wins and a team podium: BGD SRS Piedrahita

Two task wins for Abel Varga on the TIGRA and third place for the BGD under-30s team were highlights of the Sports Class Racing Series round in Piedrahita, Spain (22-29 August 2026).

BGD fielded two teams flying CURE 3s and TIGRAs: the Golden Oldies, representing the over-40s, and our young guns. Three tasks of 58.2km, 76.4km and 108.8km put pilots through their paces, with challenging conditions and some classic Piedrahita racing.

The opening task was a tough one. A long leg into a westerly wind, weak thermals down low and strong, turbulent climbs higher up made progress difficult. Cloud cover further slowed the pace, and deteriorating conditions left the last pilots airborne on the ground less than 10km from goal.

The next two tasks took the field to Ávila, exploring the Peña Negra ridge before heading through the Villatoro pass and out into the flatlands. Pilots faced the familiar dilemma: stick with the reliable mountain thermals or commit to a more direct line across the plains? For those who timed it right, booming climbs and long glides rewarded the direct route.

Abel made the most of it, winning both tasks on his TIGRA. Tyr Goldsmith also took a bold approach, pushing out front on his own to find the route. On the final task, that adventurous style came agonisingly close to paying off: he narrowly missed goal and a potential second place, then had to watch other pilots fly overhead. Competition flying can be a cruel game!

Among 27 teams, the BGD under-30s secured an excellent third place. Congratulations to the young guns!

Overall winner Carlos Lopes held onto the lead he established by winning task one. His week got even better when he also won a CURE 3 in the prize draw! Martina Centa took the women’s trophy after a week-long battle with Adel Honti.

There was plenty to learn on the unflyable days, too. Brett Janaway’s glider-trimming masterclass sparked two days of hands-on trimming at HQ, with experienced pilots helping newcomers. Bruce and Tyr Goldsmith, alongside BGD team pilot Cesar Arevalo, also shared insights into glider design, acro and testing.

With racing, shared knowledge and plenty of team spirit, Piedrahita delivered the full SRS experience.

RESULTS

OVERALL
1. Carlos Lopes
2. Deonir Spancerski
3. Tomas Hallenberg

FEMALE
1. Martina Centa
2. Adel Honti
3. Magdalena Janaway

LIGHTWEIGHT
1. Magdalena Janaway
2. Rasa Grigoraitiene
3. Ni Mo

MIDWEIGHT
1. Tomas Hallenberg
2. Mike ravelli
3. Bruce Goldsmith

TEAMS
1. Gin 2
2. Airtribune
3. BGD

Photos: SRS