Foreign accents filled Narromine this week as competitors from all over the globe landed in town to pilot their way to the World Gliding Grand Prix in the qualifying leg of the competition, held at the Narromine Aerodrome.

The perfect weather conditions of Narromine have set the scene for an intense week of competition with no clear leader established. Sunday’s first day of competition was dominated by the international set but Monday was an all- Aussie affair with a win to Australian world champion David Jansen, a close second to Adelaide’s Terry Cubly and a solid third to Queensland pilot John Buchanan.

The Narromine Aerodrome was converted into a hi-tech observation point with live feeds of the race transmitted via global positioning systems attached to the aircraft. Spectators were able to follow the 30 pilots and 25 gliders as they navigated their way over a 400-kilometre course starting in Narromine and passing over Peak Hill, Wellington, Dunedoo, Tooraweenah and Collie before returning to Narromine.

With an average speed of 120 kilometres per hour and anywhere up to 10,000 feet above sea level, gliding is part science and part skill.

Former world champion Joe Brigliadori, who won the title in 1985 and is here to watch his son Riccardo compete, said the ability to make high-pressure decisions was the key to success.

“It is not about instinct, it is about intuition which is a product of experience,” Mr Briliadori said. “Gliding is the sport for managers. The market is the sky, thermals are offering opportunity and the gliders are like your business competitors.”

The importance of weather, and the all-important thermal uplift, is paramount to gliders who without engines constantly rely on height to see them to the finish line. The pilots seek out pockets of hot air, known as thermals, to ascend higher into the sky before darting off at speed.

The pilots scan the sky, studying clouds or at times chasing eagles, to locate the critical thermal uplifts. Not only are Narromine’s vast, flat plains ideal for the sport but the current wheat harvest is proving to be a benefit as the brown paddocks release the hot air pilots seek.

Current world champion, Germany’s Michael Sommer, is currently cruising in second position after finishing behind Japan’s Makoto Ichikawa on Sunday. Riccardo Brigliadori, who piloted to a brilliant third on Sunday, gave a lacklustre performance on Monday, unable to finish the race thereby putting his Grand Prix future in doubt.

However, with still four more days of competition the outcome is anything but predictable.