I just entered this thread so apologize if having not read all the posts
this has been mentioned already. Let me quote Helmut Reichmann from Cross
Country Soaring pp 63-64:

"Starting in contests with full water ballast is always a good idea. If the
run through the gate is made at high speed, heavier sailplanes will gain
more height than light ones in the subsequent pullup".

Although I find it impossible to argue with the math presented might it be
that we are oversimplifying things? With all due respect a modern sailplane
is a long way from a rock or pendulum. I'm certainly not an engineer but
have flown for long enough and have done enough high speed pullups at the
finish and on course to feel fairly certain that the altitude gained is
substantially greater. But even more to the point if you don't believe this
then was Reichmann wrong? Maybe the translation was poor? Geez my bubble
is bursting! Send help!

Casey Lenox
KC
Phoenix