wrote:
Many European clubs use their Duo routinely for winching and for basic
training, and I have yet to see one with traces or wear and tear.

Many European clubs don't have 2-33s in addition to a Duo.

Maybe that's one of the reason why soaring is much more popular in Europe?

George Moffat described in "Winning" his first contact with gliders in
the USA: "After only a few flights in the stodgy two-place trainer, I
became bored. The handling was poor, the performance terrible. There
seemed no connection to the early dream."