By flying somewhat slower, on the "backside" of the polar (though not
of course to the point of losing control, buffeting, dropping wings
etc) you climb better. You want the minimum sink for a given TURN
RADIUS not a minimum sink for a given BANK ANGLE. By flying slower, you
get the same radius turn with a lower bank angle.

For example, in most standard/15 m gliders straightline "minimum sink"
is about 45 kts. Yet most pilots thermal at 45-47 kts even in 30-45
degree bank. These speeds are well below "minimum sink" for the given
bank angles.

John Cochrane
BB

John Cochrane BB

John
I use a different approach.
In case of my sHP18 I determent the minimum sink
polar for a know wing loading x 1.4 g load at a 45deg. bank angle. With that
I establish the speed for my bank. 43kt 8lb/sqft will give me a speed at
45 deg. bank of about ~ 51kt. This allows the glider to stay within the
sweet
spot and gives good control with the least amount of control drag.
Reducing the speed further would not gain anything.

My ASW24 previously owned by Hank has a minimum sink of 45kt at 6.4 lb/sqft
as per R. Johnson but the minimum speed in this case can be pushed back to
about
40kt. due to the relative flat bottom of the polar as well as better
winglets and modified
leading edge. this would give a speed of 43kt
at 7.4 lb/sqft. The 45 deg bank speed would about 51kt.
As it turns out, I fly it between 50-52kt.
Regards
Udo