The functioning of rock-fall deflection contests
Every two years, thirty windshield technicians and technicians compete for the World Championship title: the fastest and most precise repair or replacement of windshields in a car. However, to win, competitors must excel beyond just technical skills. It's about minute details, specific gloves, and sometimes a confident demeanor.
Steffen Taeterow from Neubrandenburg could easily fit on the Football National Team. Many may think this upon their first encounter with Taeterow: the Neubrandenburger's physique suggests athleticism, and, like many top players, he sports respectable tattoos. Confidence, calmness, and a hint of aggression emanate from his eyes, as if he could nail a crucial pass from the back at any moment.
However, Taeterow aspires to more than just the European sports elite during these two days in June. The 43-year-old aims to be a World Champion. The best windshield technician among the 30 competitors from New Zealand to the USA, South Africa, Slovenia, or France is chosen by the industry leader Belron - better known in Germany as Carglass - every two years since 2000. The cream of the crop from numerous nations has congregated in Lisbon's largest event hall. Taeterow's workspace is right in front, to the left.
The Right Vehicle for the Competition
Just like in Wanne-Eickel, Sydney, or Cape Town, the setup in the Meo-Arena is identical thirty times. Thirty identical Toyota C-HRs are used. "Finding the right vehicle for the competition isn't as simple as it seems," says Taeterow's trainer René Schmidt, who has participated in the World Championships twice himself. The car must be readily available in all markets, or some participants would be at a disadvantage. And comparing similar vehicles is key.
What Taeterow and his competitors do in the competition mirrors their daily work. Just as in the hall with over 1000 spectators, every customer vehicle worldwide should be handled with precision. Removing a stone chip from the windscreen, filling and polishing, replacing a side or rear windshield, or even the entire front windshield – all are part of their daily routine, adhering to a globally standardized procedure and utilizing numerous patented techniques. In Germany, over 1500 windshield technicians work on thousands of windshields adhering to these guidelines.
Jury of 70 Experts
In their World Championship, the participants must demonstrate such skills. The cars have been prepared in advance. A jury of 70 experts observes and assesses the participants' performances meticulously.
The jury evaluates the quality of execution. They watch how each individual work step is performed with care and precision. Does Finn Emma Tenhunen from Finland clean the frame and recesses meticulously when installing the side windshield? How does Jack Karssemeyer from Sydney bond the rear windshield? Does Michael Fischer from Austria check the quality of the windshield wipers? The jury catches even the smallest details.
The final product must be aesthetically pleasing
In the end, the final product must, of course, be visually flawless. Taeterow needs to be diligent during the sealing process, ensuring no air bubbles or smudges are missed. A minor hairline crack in the glass, barely noticeable with close examination from the outside, indicates where the pebble struck. Polishing the glass makes Taeterow perspire. Every few minutes, he wipes off the beads of sweat from his forehead with a black rag, ensuring nothing mars the gleaming glass.
At every work step, Taeterow also keeps an eye on the two jurors who are always monitoring him. Thumbs up, task completed. The jurors allocate 5000 points based on these criteria.
A large clock ticks prominently on a video screen beneath the roof of the football field-sized hall. Each of the five evaluation tests is recorded with time. The participant is evaluated not only on how quickly they complete the entire task but also on optimizing their workflows to save as much time as possible. Unnecessary delays must be avoided. "We have fine-tuned each step and grip countless times," says Taeterow. By the second afternoon, Taeterow has already installed a new windshield into the vehicle and sealed it, while no other competitor has even removed the old one yet.
Three Women in the Competition
However, Kgomotso Molefe, for example, faces a clear disadvantage compared to the towering Taeterow: the South African, one of the three women in the competition, is barely 1.70 meters tall. "That's why I always need a step stool to reach the middle of the windshield," she says. Perhaps this difficulty earns bonus points for problem-solving skills? The jurors, who allocate 5000 points based on these criteria, know exactly.
They pay special attention to which chemical residue Molefe discards into one of the available trash cans or where she looks up in the electronic manual to place a spacer during the windshield installation. Understanding vehicle technology and materials comprehensively is another essential criterion. Knowing the latest repair and calibration techniques and employing the correct tools is crucial.
In addition to the World Championship, there's a congress and supplier exhibition happening alongside it. Manufacturers showcase new tools, techniques, and technology in the field of windshield repair and replacement, providing additional opportunities for learning and networking for the participants.
Auto tech is advancing at a rapid pace, even in the realm of glass manufacturing. Consequently, there's a congress and supplier expo integrated into the main event. For instance, the fine-tuning of front vehicle cameras is now a part of the standard routine. As Taeterow explains, these cameras are nestled behind the windshield, right under the hood, and require precise realignment, to the tune of a fraction of a millimeter, post-windshield installation. Taeterow maneuvers a refrigerator-sized measuring device in front of a Toyota's front end, aligning it flawlessly with the front camera. Via a PC and a connection to the vehicle's control unit, the mechanic can now initiate the software that aligns the camera image to the road, based on the measurements.
During this detailed process, Taeterow ensures to maintain eye contact with the judges. Effective communication and presentation can either earn or cost points. One of the judges plays the role of the customer, while Taeterow explains his actions. A thumbs-up, a smile, calmness, and authority... these are all crucial elements for claiming the title of master. Undue haste or agitation should be avoided. "Just like in my home workshop," notes one judge. Trust is particularly important when the big picture gets blurry.
The championship serves as motivation.
The exact number of points allotted for individual categories remains a secret - even post the final assessment. However, the winner's cup and an annual salary for the "Best of Belron 2024" award - the championship - are intended to inspire not only the participants and their domestic fan base but also the colleagues, customers, and suppliers of the auto glass industry.
Unfortunately, Taeterow, his trainer, and the German delegation return home without the title, following two exhilarating days. Instead, the Canadian David Chester takes the win. "But we gave it our all," says German trainer Rene Schmidt.
