Help send Team USA to the 2023 WAGAC

Dear Friends,

Each year, the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), which serves as the World Air Sports governing body, sanctions the World Advanced Glider Aerobatic Championship (WAGAC). This event allows nations to compete as teams and individuals in the amazing sport of glider aerobatics. The WAGAC is being held in Torun, Poland July 20th – Aug 5th.

This year’s contest comes at a time when the U.S. glider aerobatic competition scene continues to see growth in participation at all levels. The U.S. Glider Aerobatic Championships this past February saw more than 30+ pilots attend, a number not seen in many decades. We want to continue this upward trajectory, both at home and on the international stage.

About the team:

For the first time in U.S. history, we are fielding a team of five pilots to compete at the WAGAC. We are extremely proud of the team we have fielded and are working hard to ensure we are prepared to represent the U.S. well at the WAGAC. Your 2023 Team USA members are:

Shad Coulson

Mallory Lynch

Joe Gerner

Jared Bachman

Andrew Dever

Although young, our team collectively has decades of national and internal competition experience. We are also receiving coaching from some of the top glider and powered aerobatic competitors in the U.S. and abroad.

What you can expect from us:

We will provide regular reports on the team’s preparations, including training camps, practice sessions, and participation in regional contests leading up to the WAGAC. Additionally, we will provide daily summaries of the team's results and activities during the WAGAC. You can follow the team here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/U.S.GliderAerobaticTeam

Instagram: @U.S.GLIDERAEROBATICTEAM

IAC: https://www.iac.org/2023-us-unlimited-and-advanced-glider-teams

Our Ask:

It is an incredible honor to be selected to represent your country at an international level. Unfortunately, it is also an incredible expense and is a burden often left to individual competitors. We are asking for help to offset the costs of the competition so we can field a strong, united, and well-prepared team that will represent the U.S. with pride and distinction. Your generous donations will be used to help cover costs associated with travel, lodging, registration fees, aircraft rental, aircraft towing, and coaching.

We appreciate your support and involvement! Please share this with your local clubs and anyone you think would be interested in supporting the team.

Alternate Donation Methods:

We’re partnering with the International Aerobatics Club (IAC) to accept tax-deductible donations! Please mail a check made payable to the International Aerobatics Club to:

IAC - 2023 Aerobatic Glider Teams

Attn: Steve Kurtzahn

PO Box 3086

Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086

Please add ‘2023 U.S. Advanced Glider Team Donation’ to the memo line.

If you need an invoice, please contact Shad Coulson directly or via the “Contact” button below. Otherwise, you will get a letter from IAC thanking you for the donation with the amount once the check is received.

You can also donate to the team via Venmo: @Shad-Coulson