Sebastian Kawa 

• Nationality: Polish
• Competition Number: RP
• Date of Birth: 15 November 1972
• Profession: Medical Doctor
• Hobbies: You guessed it: Gliding!!! But also skiing and sailing.
• Family: Married with Ana and 2 daughters, Alexandra (6) and Martha (2)
• Flying since: 1989. I couldn't avoid it as it is a family tradition.
• Competing since: 1991
• Flight hours: In gliders around 2800 and about 400 hours in motorplanes
• Podiums achieved: First at Nitra 2003, Elverum 2004, again Nitra in 2005, St Auban 2005, Vinon 2006, Omarama Grand Prix in 2006, Pociunai 2007, again Omarama in 2007 and Torino 2009... it's hard work to be ranked at the top of the IGC
• Other flight experience: If I may tell the whole story... I was born of doctor parents in 1972. My father, Tomasz, a pilot himself, always jokes that the start of my career in aviation had not been accidental. Since I was 4 and used to accompany him in various recreational flights, flight competitions and basically grew up around the hangars of Zar's Gliding School, ardently trying to become a member of the pilot society. One time, my eagerness almost caused serious repercussions at one of my father's competitions: Right before the start my father had been busy with his "Foka's" aerodynamic brakes - in order to prevent the airflow between the upper and lower surfaces of the wing, he was covering the openings on the wings with plasticine. Small me, wanting to take part in such an interesting activity, without the knowledge of my father, scrupulously covered all other openings on the entire surface of the glider. As a consequence he flew the glider, deprived of all navigational tools. Another, indeed dangerous "favor" had been attaching of the tow rope from the plane of Franciszek Kepka to another plane "Wilga" so the two rolled together connected by tails... My family's aviation roots reach as far as the fourth generation: In the backyard of my great-grandfather, the Austrian army anchored their observation balloon while fighting the Russians during WW I. Along with the balloon, there were two "Albatros" planes ; the first ones ever to have a working radio connection with the ground base. Austrians used the planes for reconnaissance flights and through those radios coordinated heavy artillery attacks. Before I became a pilot, I had excellent achievements in the sport of yachting, reaching for Poland's champion title, sailing on a small, man-made lake located nearby my home town. I represented Poland in European Junior Cup as well as the World Cup in Great Britain, where I got my mother's biggest pride - a silver cup funded and handed in person by Princess Diana. The end of Communism in eastern Europe marked the end of my sailing career. The yachting club, to which I belonged was no longer subsidized by the governmental factory sold to FIAT. As this happened, I was already a teenager in high school and turned my attention towards flying. With some talent and a lot of dedication, I was able to surpass all of my colleagues, as I won every junior championship I participated in. During European Cup in Leszno, I defeated the best European juniors. Unfortunately I was denied a medal since all of my photo equipment had been stolen and I could not provide the jury with the photographic proof of my flight. This was still in the era when jurors didn't respect the GPS readings even though my glider had been equipped with an operating GPS recorder. In 1997 I participated in World Cup in seniors' open class in a ASH 25. Completely inexperienced in flying over the high Alps, I still attained victory in two of the main events, winning the fastest and the longest task, I was honored with the Kronfeld Prize. My flying activity slowed down as I began studying medicine. Nevertheless, my studies did not affect my top spot in Poland's rankings - two victories in Euroregion Beskidy's Cup as well as setting of a new world record in Leszno. It was in distance flight on PW5 glider. On preparations to the 2001 World Air Games in Spain I performed a flight with a world's best speed on 500 Km triangle, but the original flight record disappeared in La Mancha's dusts. In the WAG I finally got the bronze medal. One year later I won Poland's Cup ( world class level) and placed second in "America Cup" in Uwdale - just because my glider had not been prepared on time and could not participate in the first two events. Together with my father in 2003, we represented Poland in World Gliding Championships in Nitra, Slovakia. That performance gave me my first world title. In the following year I also reached for my second world title, this time flying "Bravo" in Elwerum, Norway. In 2005 I won Pribina Cup and European Championships in the club class. In September I had the honor of introducing to the world the freshly born "Diane 2 ". That event provided me with a world title in the 1st World Sailing Grand Prix in Saint Auban. In 2006 I managed to beat French residents on their field and won again in stormy World Gliding Championships. In that event I was to defend my two titles as a current world champion holder in club and PW-5 classes. I chose club class and he flew on newly refinished Jantar Std Brawo originally produced for championships in Rieti 85'. European gliding championships in 2007 held far from my beloved mountainous areas in Lithuania gave me my second European Champion title in Club Class. For Christmas 2007 I got my second GP Champion title in Omarama. Although I t won many competitions in 2008 and 2009, the most wanted titles stood beyond my reach, except for World Air Games GP in Torino. To sum up, I have won all European and World championships from 2003 to 2007 and main GP events. I am currently ranked no 2 in FAI glider pilots ranking list... and staying there is a lot of hard work! I'm married and have two beautiful daughters, Aleksandra and Marta. I worked at Bielsko Biala hospital and With the help of a modest scholarship, got a specialization in obstetrics and gynecology. My wife Anna, on similar terms, specialized as a family physician. I also hold a commercial pilot license. Well, for those who made it up to here, this is my "other flight experience"... :-) Sebastian Kawa
• Glider to be used in the GP: Diana 2
• Competition number: RP
• What are your expectations to fly in Chile: A great and fair competition and interesting flying. I also hope for a smooth organization allowing for lots of fun and flying a great show for the worldwide spectators.