All good advice.
I only add a very important item IMHO: canopy sealing. Air leaking from the cockpit via the rear canopy gap can create a large "airbrake" always deployed, influencing the airflow over the fuselage and wingroots.

Re. flying conservatively, the IGC traces from current Club Class European Championships seem to show the contrary. They push their Cirri at about 80-90kts when 5kt climbs are expected. That's surprising but effective.

Cheers,
Aldo Cernezzi