2025 Year in Review: A New Era for Virtual Soaring
2025 was a landmark year for FAI Virtual Gliding. From the first competitive launches in a new simulator to the testing of radical new race formats, the past 12 months have been defined by innovation, expansion, and intense competition.
As we close the hangar doors on 2025, let’s look back at the moments that defined our year.
1. The Condor 3 Era Begins
The year kicked off with high anticipation following the late 2024 release of Condor 3. January saw us hosting the FAI eSports Series 2025, the very first official FAI event on the new platform.
It was a time of discovery for everyone. Pilots adapted to the new weather physics and improved graphics, while organizers fine-tuned the settings for fair play. The series proved that the community was ready to migrate, setting the stage for the major competitions that followed.
2. Innovation: The Loop Challenge
In February, we broke away from tradition to test something entirely new. The Loop Challenge introduced a fast-paced, eSports-centric format designed for high-intensity action.
Instead of long cross-country tasks, pilots faced a short, multi-lap course (St-Auban, AA3 landscape) with dynamic weather. It was a bold experiment to see if virtual gliding could appeal to a broader gaming audience while retaining the tactical depth of soaring. The feedback was invaluable and will shape how we design future exhibition events. New Loop Challenges are ready to be released in 2026, and we are really looking forward to it!
3. The 3rd FAI Virtual Sailplane Grand Prix (VSGP)
The core of our competitive calendar returned stronger than ever. The 3rd FAI Virtual Sailplane Grand Prix became a truly global phenomenon this year.
We successfully hosted Qualifying Series for every continent, welcoming hundreds of pilots from around the world to compete. The level of flying was exceptional, with pilots pushing their limits for a chance to qualify for the prestigious World Final scheduled for January and February 2026.
The year concluded with high drama during the World Qualifier Event (WQE) in late December. This final hurdle offered a last chance for redemption, adding four more pilots to the roster of finalists.
Who made the cut? We are currently finalizing the results. The full list of qualified pilots for the World Final will be unveiled in early 2026. Stay tuned!
4. Olympic Ambitions
Behind the scenes, 2025 was also a year of diplomacy and future-proofing. FAI Virtual Gliding continued to engage with the Olympic Esports movement, attending forums and advocating for soaring's place in the future of digital sports. While the journey is long, our presence on the global stage has never been stronger.
Looking to 2026
We end 2025 not just with a list of winners, but with a stronger, more connected community. The World Final of the 3rd VSGP awaits us in 2026, where the world's best will compete for the ultimate title.
Thank you to every pilot who flew a task, every fan who watched a stream, and every volunteer who made these events possible.
Happy New Year, and see you on the grid!
