I've been wondering about this question myself. As the owner of LS-10 #11 (the first production model to the USA) and I'm also a previous 18m LS-6 owner...I can (and cannot) answer this question.

The fit and finish of my LS-10 were perfect. Paul Gaines used to say "there is no such thing as a perfect glider from the factory" but this glider refuted that statement. DG gliders are finished beautifully...and the LS design under that beautiful finish was evident right down to the flying nun winglets in 15m as well as the curved 18m tips. The cockpit is the same as the LS-6 and maybe even a little tighter due to added reinforcements at the shoulders.

The performance is above and beyond the LS-6 (which I flew for 12 years) primarily noticeable in energy conservation/pullups, high speed glide and cockpit noise.

The handling is as good as any LS glider has ever been, and it feels like a slicker LS-6.

Now.....where has it been on the world stage? I dunno.
In my limited contesting I have flown alongside with ASG-29's without problem...mostly with XG and 8H.
I can only speculate about the possible differences in sponsorship philosophy between DG and the other manufacturers being a possibility as to why they are shunned at the worlds and big European contests.

That said, there seem to be NO LS-10's in the hands of "hot" competition pilots.
All four of us USA owners are decidedly only mediocre on the contest scenes at best....which does little to promote the LS-10 on the scoresheets.

Maybe someone with more world class experience gliding next to the LS-10 can lend some better insight? I for one would be interested in hearing about that.

All said, I'm keeping mine.

J4