Agree the 1-26 handicap is generous - but snail-planes typically get whipped soundly in handicapped meets.

I think Dan is flying his 26 flat out 110% of the time ... I think the rest of us have a more comfortable journey - and don't push that hard - thanks to the evolution of sailplane design and technology.

So I'm not saying we glass drivers don't fly with courage and skill - I'm just saying 50:1(technology)keeps us out of a lot of trouble.

Besides 'Skill and Courage vs Technology and $$$$' reads a lot better ..

:-)

DG 808B
Wingspan: 18.00 m (59 ft 1 in)
Powerplant: 1 × Solo, 40 kW (ca. 53 hp)
Maximum speed: 270 km/h (170 mph)
Maximum glide ratio: 50 (51.5 with winglets)
Rate of sink: 0.5 m/s (98 ft/min)

vs

SGS 1-26
Wingspan: 40 ft 0 in (12.2 m)
Maximum speed: 114 mph (182 km/h)
Maximum glide ratio: 23 at 53 mph (84 km/h)
Rate of sink: 174 ft/min (0.88 m/s)