Australian glider pilot Max Scutchings has won the Junior World Gliding Championship in Germany, taking the Club Class title at just 18 years of age after less than two years of cross-country flying.
Representing Australia at the 14th FAI Junior World Gliding Championships at Aalen-Elchingen, Max was crowned Club Class World Champion following an exceptionally close contest against some of the world's best young soaring pilots. The championship brought together junior pilots from more than 20 countries, competing across Club and Standard Classes, with competition flying concluding on 14 August.
Max finished on 7,388 points, just 40 points ahead of France's Nicolas Caudrelier, with Germany's Nils Zitzelsberger taking third.
The result is even more remarkable given how quickly Max has progressed in the sport. A member of the Adelaide Soaring Club in South Australia, he completed his first solo cross-country flight just 21 months ago and entered his first gliding competition only nine months ago. He also celebrated his 18th birthday during the championships.
"The best 100 hours of my life. It has been an experience I'll never forget," Max said.
Australia delivers a strong result
Australia was represented in Club Class by two young pilots. Alongside Max, Amber Davison from the Gliding Club of Victoria finished 13th overall from 47 competitors. Amber is also relatively new to the sport, having completed her first solo flight only two years ago. On one competition day, Max won the task and Amber finished second, and Amber also recorded a third-place finish on another day.
Gliding Australia acting CEO Amanda VanderWal said the result was an outstanding achievement for both pilots and for Australian gliding.
"I'd like to congratulate Max and Amber on their outstanding performances at the Junior World Championships. Max's win is a fantastic achievement and a great way to build interest in the next Junior World Championships, which will be held in Australia at Lake Keepit in the 2028/29 season. Alongside Amber's strong performance, it shows the quality of young pilots coming through Australian gliding," Ms VanderWal said.
Max's win caps off a successful 2026 season, having also taken victory at the Australian Junior Gliding Championships at Benalla earlier this year.
The full story of Max Scutchings' championship win will run in the next print edition of Australian Flying.