F3F French Championship 2025, a Championship Set in a Breathtaking Landscape — But One That Tested the Nerves of the Organizers !
From October 10th to 12th 2025, 19 pilots from all over France gathered in the stunning volcanic region of Auvergne, at the Col de la Croix Morand, for the French F3F National Championship, organized by GAP (Gerzat Aéromodélisme Passion: https://www.gerzat-aero.fr).
Day 1 – Friday
The skies were low and the mountain peaks were shrouded in clouds. The competition headed to the “Goulet” slope, facing east. Upon arrival, the wind was light—around 4 m/s. Bases and timing systems were set up, and the pilots gathered for a briefing led by contest director Thomas Delarbre. The starting order was drawn, and the first round got underway.
But conditions were anything but stable. Wind shifts made each flight unpredictable. The second round had to be stopped and ultimately restarted, with a new minimum wind threshold set at 4 m/s. After completing Round 3, a protest was filed: some gliders were unable to launch cleanly due to the previous aircraft lingering in the lift zone instead of veering out. The round was voided and restarted from scratch. However, halfway through, the wind dropped below the acceptable limit, and with the local airspace (used by low-flying military aircraft) nearing its closure time, the day was called off—with only two official rounds completed.
Had it not been for these setbacks, the minimum four rounds needed to validate the championship might have been achieved on Day 1. But uncertainty set in, especially with the weather forecast for the next two days looking grim: high pressure, clear skies... and almost no wind.
Day 2 – Saturday
The pilots regrouped at 9 a.m., heading once again to the east slope—though hopes were low. Hot air balloons floated eerily still in the distance, a telltale sign of windless skies. Yet, nature had its own surprises: on the walk to the slope, a group of mouflons appeared, adding a touch of magic to an already breathtaking 360° panorama.
Those with electric gliders or lightweight models like the Alula made a few leisure flights while the rest waited... and hoped. Then, a phone call changed everything: one pilot, out for a walk about 2 km away, reported a light westerly breeze picking up. Within minutes, the team sprang into action—disassembling the course and relocating everything to the west-facing slope.
By 3 p.m., the race was back on. Conditions were far from perfect, with a slight crosswind from the left, but far more consistent than the day before. Four rounds were completed, bringing the total to six—enough to officially validate the championship. Relief and smiles returned, especially from the organizers who had put in so much effort behind the scenes to make the event possible.
The evening ended in classic Auvergne style, around a generous table featuring regional specialties—most notably the hearty Truffade, accompanied by local cured meats (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truffade).
Day 3 – Sunday
The forecast had slightly improved, prompting the organizers to try the north slope. On arrival, a faint but well-aligned breeze was present—promising, but ultimately too weak to resume competition. A few pilots took to the air for some free flying, but by 1 p.m., the decision was made to call it off for good.
At 2 p.m., the closing ceremony and prize giving took place over drinks.
The podium was claimed by the seasoned veterans:
- 🥇 I took the title of French Champion 2025,
- 🥈 Andreas Fricke secured second place,
- 🥉 and Philippe Lanes completed the podium.
Notably absent from the celebrations was the defending 2024 champion, who chose to leave after the first day, citing poor weather forecasts—a decision viewed by many as unsporting and disrespectful to the organizers.
On the equipment side, two Pike Precision 2 on the podium, but a Wasabi 2 on the top step! The Freestylers 7 seem to work well in light conditions. The Pitbull 1 still has plenty of life left, and the Mambas S and GT remain competitive.
While we all would have liked to fly more rounds, the championship was validated—and that's what matters most. Add to that the unforgettable scenery, the dramatic volcanic landscapes, and the wild beauty of Auvergne, and the event was a feast for the eyes and the spirit.
A huge thank you to the friendly organizing team, led by Thomas, for their outstanding work and warm hospitality!