"Rasman" s comments read:

I was of the understanding that as wing loading increases, best L/D is not
only at a faster speed, but is better then max L/D on an un-balasted glider.
For instance, if you have a glider which has its best glide ratio at 20km/h
(nice and slow) and is aprox 20/1 (nice and crap) - if you add 20kg ballast,
its best glide ratio is acheived at 30km/h and is 30/1
Correct me if I am wrong, it is more then possible.

Errr scratches head - normally the described effect of ballasting is

1) Best L/D stays the same
but
2) At a higher airspeed
and
3) At a higher sink rate

Although we are talking about

Best L/D ~ 42:1 at 55knots at 400kgs
and
Best L/D ~ 42:1 at 60knots at 450kgs

As conservative estimates for my ASW20
--
Tim - ASW20CL "20"