Sebastian Kawa
| Sebastian Kawa | |
|---|---|
Sebastian Kawa, training flight over the Aconcagua
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| Born | 15 November 1972 ZabrzePoland |
| Nationality | Polish |
| Spouse | Anna |
| Relatives | father Tomasz Kawa, glider pilot |
| Aviation career | |
| Known for | most World Champion titles in gliding history, 2004-2015 among top 3 ranked FAI glider pilots, thrice World Grand Prix Champion |
| First flight | June 7, 1988 SZD-50 Puchacz |
| Racing career | |
| First race | 1992 Polish Junior Nationals, 1st place win |
| Best position | current Standard and 15 m class World Champion |
| Aircraft | SZD-56 Diana 2, Discus 2a, ASG 29 |
| Website | |
| www |
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Sebastian Kawa is a Polish glider pilot, eleven-times World Champion, world (FAI) leading glider competition pilot (currently number one in the world rankings of the FAI Gliding Commission) and the current World Champion in 15m Class and European gliding champion in 18m Class.
Sebastian Kawa is a second-generation glider pilot, together with his father Tomasz Kawa (an accomplished competition pilot as well) associated with the Mountain Gliding School "Żar" in southern Poland. In his youth, before becoming a pilot, Sebastian Kawa was a competitive sailor in Cadet, Optimist and 420 class, with multiple titles in national championships and participation in top level European and world events. He is also (like his parents) a qualified physician, working at the General Hospital in Bielsko-Biała.
Sebastian is also known in the Polish gliding community for numerous Web writings and films popularizing the sport.
His autobiography and advanced gliding tutorial Sky Full of Heat (English and Polish language editions) was published in December 2012.
Sebastian Kawa's parents, both physicians, settled in Międzybrodzie Żywieckie so his father Tomasz could practice gliding (as a competitor and instructor) at the nearby Mountain Gliding School "Żar". The Mountain Gliding School "Żar" is one of the birth places of the sport in Poland. Tomasz Kawa is a longtime top level glider pilot, among other accomplishments representing Poland in World Championships.
The "gliding roots" nothwithstanding, first sporting activity of Sebastian Kawa was competitive sailing. He was the member of the sailing club "Neptune" sponsored by the local automobile factory (FSM Bielsko). From 8 to 18 years of age he raced in Cadet, Optimist and 420 class. He regularly placed first in National Championships and was representing Poland in World Championships. Sebastian Kawa fondly recalls receiving a trophy from Princess Diana after (2nd place) one of the races off the shore of Wales. As his club (a recurring theme during all his sporting career) did not belong to the mainstream of the power structure of the Polish sport establishment, Sebastian Kawa had to sometimes overcome obstacles caused by petty bureaucratic favoritism.
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Wikipedia