In my limited experience the handicap is immaterial for your first couple of
contest.
Experienced people will have worked out a reasonable number. Your performance
makes a much bigger difference than the glider. Fly what you have, as well as
you can - have fun.

Read Leo Brigliadori, or George Moffatt - you win with your head, not so much
your glider. Which is not to say that you should not make good decisions about
your equipment, and what your strategy should be given what you have to fly, and
the geography and weather.

Which comes back to - Once you know what, where and when you will be flying, the
handicap is relatively unimportant. I was amazed at what my ancient Std Cirrus
could do once the pilot had his eyes opened a little, and stopped making so many
poor decisions.

Bruce (Still near the back of the club class.)


Bob Kuykendall wrote:
If you have to ask, it probably doesn't matter. Stay (just) inside
your comfort zone, don't break the ship, and have a good time. It it's
not fun, something is wrong, and it's probably not your ships handicap
value.