Don't worry about the glider - get yourself in shape:

1) Practice setting a task on every flight, then fly that task, then analyze that flight on SeeYou. What could you have done better?

2) Try to crew for somebody else experienced (even if only for a couple of days) before your first comp. You will learn a lot in a more relaxed atmosphere than when you are competing.

3) Get the contest waypoint & airspace files downloaded early and study them. Download comp flights from the last contest at that location and see the lines that successful competitors used. Learn where the airport and land out options are.

4) Have fun and be mindful of Gary Ittner's saying: Competition is just flying cross country as efficiently as possible.

ROY