BB wrote:
Readers of this group might like a very nice article on turn radius
and
handicapping by Judah Milgram

http://skylinesoaring.org/NEWSLETTER/2005/February/

Though mostly about handicapping, it also shows very nicely why you
should not thermal at the "minimium sink speed" corresponding to the
level flight polar, but instead should usually thermal right on the
edge of a stall. (Going slower means you can achieve the same turn
radius with a lower bank angle.)

John Cochrane

BB

My LS1c climbed like a rock under 46kts. Think it has somthing to do
with a flow separation on the all flying tail. On the other hand, my
Ka8 went up like a rocket at 34kts indicated (min sink around 38). I
think you need to determine these things on a case-by-case basis.