50+:1 15m sailplanes

Eric Greenwell wrote:
Here's my recollection of the genesis of the 15 meter class. Real
historians please fill in the gaps and correct errors.

My recollection is a little different. I could be wrong, but I
distinctly remember discussion of a future 17M racing class, and that
the Kestrel 17 was the first glider designed to compete in it. The year
before the first FAI 17M competitions were to take place, there was
much gnashing of teeth and wailing amongst to be heard from the H301
owners that they would all have to replace their 3 or 4 year old gliders
with Kestrels to be competitive. There were a lot of prominent Libelle
owners, and very few Kestrel owners. The IGC meeting came and went,
there was a new 15M racing class, and everyone acted like there had
never been any discussion of a 17M class.

I think that was my first inkling of just how political this sport can
be. Some things never change...

Marc