Mario Kiessling 

• Nationality: German
• Competition Number: DE
• Date of Birth: 13 December 1974
• Profession: Software Project Manager
• Hobbies: Gliding, Badminton
• Family: I just got married in September, no kid
• Flying since: In 1990. Did some flying with model gliders and after that started ‘real’ gliding. I learned a lot from my father, who is also a pilot
• Competing since: Since 1994 when I started at some smaller competitions and State Junior Championships
• Flight hours: 3.700
• Podiums achieved: 1994: Member of the Bundeswehr Sportfördergruppe Segelflug - 1995: 2nd at the German Juniors in STD Class - 1996: 5th at the German Nationals in STD Class - 1997: 1st at the German Juniors in STD Class and also 1st at the European Juniors - 1998: 1st at the German Nationals in STD Class - 2000: 6th at the Europeans in Open Class - 2002: 2nd at the German Nationals in STD Class - 2003: 6th at the Worlds ind STD Class - 2004: 3rd at the Europeans in STD Class - 2005: 4th at the German Nationals in STD Class and 2nd at the Grand Prix Finals in St Auban - 2006: 1st at the Grand Prix in St. Auban - 2007: 1st at the German Nationals in STD Class and 7th at the World Grand Prix Omarama - 2008: 2nd at the Worlds in STD Class - 2009: 1st at the German Nationals in STD Class - 2009: 1st at the Europeans - 1994 to 1999: Member of the German Junior Team - 1999 to 2005: Trainer of the German Junior Team - 1998, 2000, 2002 and today: Member of the German Gliding Team
• Other flight experience: Just gliders for me, thanks!
• Glider to be used in the GP: Schempp Hirth Ventus 2ax
• Competition number: DE
• What are your expectations to fly in Chile: Having an unforgettable experience to fly in the colourful Andes, fast flight on the ridge and meeting a lot of new gliding friends and also friends that I know already well from other competitions. After a 3 weeks cross-country trip across Chile last year on the ground I am looking forward to see the country from a different perspective!