On Jan 29, 1:34*pm, Brad wrote:

Why does everything revolve around flying for competition?

Not everything, but this discussion is about a new 13.5 meter RACING
class.

On your last point. If you can figure out how to make ANY type of
sailplane truly affordable (say $20,000 for new) then the sport might
start growing like crazy. But there seems no way to build a glider
that cheap.

Todd Smith
3S