Contests participation have dwindled down for many reasons. One of
which is the costs for a competitive glider are ridiculous! To put
your name at the top of the score sheet will cost you a fortune.
Sorry, but winning gliders that cost 160,000 dollars doesn't make this
sport attractive. I love the idea of sports class and club class
because it keeps the playing field level. The scores typically
indicate who is the better pilot and not who has the most
technologically advanced glider.

The world class is a fabulous idea. Btw the pw-5 is a retarded looking
ship (IMHO) that should have never been used. A 13.5 m span,
conventional tail, fixed gear, isn't exactly what most guys desire to
fly. Our club has one and I always blow past it in my 1971 standard
cirrus. The world class needs a 15 m spanned, t tail, retractable
gear, roomy cockpit, and much more like an asw 19 or 20 for around
25000 to 30000 to be successful. I believe an asw 15, standard cirrus
or libel will give you more bang gor the buck than a pw5 will. So why
buy a pw5?