Thanks for all the input.

I have found out a fair bit more info on aerobatics since I posted this question. I think a better way of asking the question would have been: What aerobatic manoeuvres can a 'semi-aerobatic' sailplane perform!?

I have amassed quite a bit of info on the subject now, some interesting technical stuff that suggests that you cannot overstress a well designed sailplane at Va no matter what you do. I will have a read up on it all and post something here with my findings.

Kirk,

Your sentence: 'Glider acro (unless in a Swift/Fox, etc) is a relaxed, gentle form of the art. It's not about pulling a lot of G, it's about energy management, and not exceeding VNE.' Sums up exactly what I'm interested in. I dont want a pure acro aircraft, because I dont want to do anything to mad but would like to be able to explore more than just loops and chandelle during flights.

Also having found what G forces are generated in the figures i'm interested in (in the PIK aerobatics supplement), and your comment about not much neg G occurring, suggests that most sailplanes could handle what the PIK was doing in the video anyway.

Regards

James