Jack,

You are right. I take back everything I have said
about the PW5.

Now, if you will excuse me... Me and my distorted
personality need to get back to writing letters to
Schumacher and Barrichello informing them that their
'Mine is bigger than yours' attitude is ruining Formula
One. Whilst I am at it, I might inform John Coutts
(top ranked glider pilot in the World) that he has
'too much money and not enough character'.

Are you honestly suggesting that people should WANT
to sell their beautiful German sailplanes and buy PW5s?

Have you ever flown a glider?

Ben.


Right on! And exactly why we get so many arrogant and
ultimately ignorant
remarks concerning the so-called inadequacies of the
PW-5. Clearly, too many
people don't understand the concept of competition.
It is not about what you
show up with on the trailer, but about what you can
do with it in the air.
Neither the choice of the PW-5 nor the parameters established
for the WC
Glider selection process are the source of the problem.

The 'Mine is bigger than yours,' syndrome will ruin
the World Class just as
it has ruined other forms of vehicle-based competition.
Classes which were
originally established to facilitate development of
skill and commitment to
a sport at reasonable cost are falling prey to the
'too much money and not
enough character' syndrome on every side. The bitter
and unreasoning
criticisms of the PW-5 on this forum are clear evidence
of the kind of
distorted personalities which are behind this unfortunate
phenomenon.

People who are real competitors are competitive on
skateboards, lawnmowers,
1-26s, or jet fighters, and using the excuse that the
equipment is not up to
your exalted standards is, on its face, little more
than a childish excuse
for personal inadequacy.


Jack