53rd Annual Sail Plane Competition flies back to Crisp Co.

CORDELE, Ga. – The 53rd Annual Sail Plane Competition is back in Crisp county at Cordele Crisp County Airport.

And… we got a chance to speak with four young up and comers about taking part in their first.

Shawn McGowin from Butler, Georgia is taking part in his first sail plane competition at the age of 21, following in his father’s footsteps…

And… has been helping at the Crisp county competition since he was 10.

“My dad has been coming here for 30 years, and he’s only missed one year, twenty one years ago, when I was born…And, so, I’m really excited, it means a lot. My dad’s really proud. I actually beat him the first day of the contest; he did not beat me,” said Shawn McGowin, Butler.

However, for high schoolers Dallas Hurd, Quest Hipps , and Stephen Tellman, who came from Lakeland, Florida, they’re excited to start the next generation of gliders.

“I’m just really glad to see all these young people coming out and helping, working the grounds crew, they’re out here helping everyone. And, it’s been really great seeing everyone come out here,” said Dallas Hurd, Lakeland.

“I think they’re super happy to see younger people like us. They’ve been very supportive as far as mentoring us, helping us along and introducing us to the sport,” said Quest Hipps, Lakeland.

For these four, to be welcomed so warmly at a young age is certainly needed.

“I think they realize the sport has been aging out and dying. And, they’ve been really supportive and reactive to us being here. For instance: we’ve had a lot of people coming to mentor myself and quest. It’s been quite a change having people with far more experience and better experience be able to help us,” said Stephen Tellman, Lakeland.

And… for Stephen’s case, the help is appreciated as he’s going to be taking his sail plane skills to a much larger stage.

“So, I’m actually going to be the pilot on the 2024 Team USA Junior World Gliding Championships team. And, Quest here is going to be my crew there. So, go team USA,” said Tellman.

As these four young men continue to follow their passion, they hope that many in the next generation of gliders will start making their way to the runway.

The sail plane competition will run through Saturday, June 8th.

Brian Roche reporting.

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