Speedster Review, May 2012, by Coralie Mateos

I got to try Mathieu Rouanet’s Speedster 19 in the middle of April. It looks like trying is believing, for the day after the flight test I placed my order.

I received it a few days before the French championship. I wasn’t very sure about getting into a comp with a glider I didn’t fully master, that isn’t my style. However I felt quite serene given the easy introduction I had during my first few flights.

A few flights allowed me to test the speed (it blows you away!!), followed by a few handling tests where I gained 3 seconds on my usual times while turning prudently (it will be great when I get the hang of it!!).

I then decided to take part in the French championship with this new glider, freshly arrived in my hands. I started with a short training flight, wing to wing with my mates, whose jaws dropped at my speed.

I hit the championship running thanks to the performance of my Speedster and in total serenity thanks to its stability, even though I have yet to test it in big air. My feelings will be confirmed during the maximum turnpoint navigation task : thermic conditions, max speed (trims off and full speed bar). I never let go, this was a great test flight for me : not even the hint of a collapse, I even scored many more turnpoints than I had planned. I will get the optimum track now that I know what my Speedster can do! To my mind the Speedster 19 is a really accessible glider, stable and fast, very fast… I am super happy with my choice of equipment for 2012 and I hope to have the opportunity to show the wing’s full potential in future competitions!

Coralie Mateos