Haute-Marne: the champions of the sky

In Mussey-sur-Marne, the Grand Est glider championship took place from July 27 to August 3. The champions of the discipline competed in their maneuvers, despite the unpredictable weather that complicated the gliding exercise with "cow landings."

From July 27 to August 3, the Haute-Marne glider center hosted the Grand Est regional glider championship at the Mussey-sur-Marne airfield. This week of competition was perfectly orchestrated by the local club, under the direction of Julien Caterina, military pilot instructor, with Philippe Claudon, vice-president of the Grand Est Regional Glider Flight Committee (CRVP GE), and Florent Hache, president of the club, and all the volunteers.

Twelve crews were initially entered, but one of them had to withdraw for medical reasons. The unpredictable weather forced the organizers to cancel several days of the race. Despite this, three events, ranging from 100 to 300 km in length, were still held. In total, more than 5,000 km were covered, with nearly 100 hours of cumulative flight time.

The final event proved particularly demanding. Many gliders were unable to return to the starting area and had to land in fields (the famous "cow landings") requiring the intervention of road recovery teams. These situations, which are well supervised, are an integral part of pilot training. A "Cow Cup", presented with humor, rewarded the competitor who made the greatest number of these off-field landings.

The three main trophies, specially designed for the occasion by the Atelier du Savoir Fer in Saint-Dizier (a youth rehabilitation center), were presented by Tyffanie Oreste, Miss Beauté Haute-Marne 2025, under the gaze of Laurence Robert-Dehault, Member of Parliament for Haute-Marne. Both expressed their enthusiasm for a world they were discovering for the first time.

Many local figures graced the event with their presence: Fire Brigade Captain Renard, representing the Joinville-Rupt rescue center, Félix Seclier, deputy mayor of Mussey-sur-Marne, as well as Thierry Masson, president of the Haute-Marne Departmental Olympic and Sports Committee (CDOS).

The flight launches took place in the best possible conditions thanks to the two pilots Thomas and François and especially thanks to the two tow planes, one of which was loaned by the Châlons-en-Champagne club. Exemplary coordination with the French Air and Space Force and the 61st RA in Semoutiers ensured a secure airspace, conducive to the route of the events.

Outside of the flights, the participants enjoyed the region's riches with visits to the Joinville Auditorium and the Charles de Gaulle Memorial, strengthening the bonds between competitors and glider enthusiasts.

Visitors, who flocked throughout the week, were able to follow the events live on screen in a friendly reception area, complete with refreshments. The warm atmosphere, tinged with humor and fantasy, made this edition a moment of sharing and passion.

This success is the result of the investment of volunteers and the support of numerous partners: the French Glider Federation (FFVP), regional and departmental committees, Andra (also involved in training for the Aeronautical Initiation Certificate), as well as numerous local traders and sponsors.

Placed under the sign of transmission, rigor and conviviality, this beautiful aerial week will have confirmed the central role of Haute-Marne in the dynamics of glider flight, between sky, territory and passion.

From our correspondent Virginie Thibault

This competition highlighted the diversity of participants, with 25% of participants under 25 years old and the same number of female participants. Several clubs entered two-seater gliders with instructors to introduce new pilots to cross-country flying and competition tactics.