Having flown a Pik 20D (same wing section as the B)
for 18 years I can confirm this is one Glider you do
NOT want to fly in rain. The first indication you get
in rain is a vibration through the stick, then any
lift you might have been in becomes sink, I have lost
thousands of feet trying to cross areas of rain (9000'
in Poland). I have had to leave a thermal because a
Glider above decided to dump his water. I have found
increasing the speed to 65kts while flying out of the
rain seems the optimum solution. If you follow the
director then you will be on the ground very quickly.
A pilot from our club flying a B was caught on the
ridge in rain and had to land at the bottom of the
ridge but was unable to select a suitable field as
he just ran out of height/time. The Pik was way ahead
of its time when it first came out but at a price,
the wing section, which needs to be kept clean of bugs
and out of rain. Dick Jhonson's report suggested if
the leading edge was re-profiled so it was not so sharp
it could improve this situation.