The use of carbon-fibre lay-ups, designed to reduce aero-elasticity of wings, has allowed CFRP gliders to be designed to cruise at much higher speeds than those with wings made from fibreglass (GFRP) or wood, as well as take advantage of thinner aerofoil sections.

The Ventus has a 15-metre wingspan, using CFRP in its structure, complying with 15 m Racing Class specifications.

Extended wingtips can be fitted to increase the span to 16.6 metres for competition in the Open Class.

Some Ventus Bs and Cs are equipped with a small sustaining engine ("turbo") and are designated with a T while some are equipped with a more powerful engine and are self-launching and are designated with an M. The best measured glide ratio of a Ventus at 15 metres wingspan is 44:1, improving to 46:1 with the 16.6 metre tips, giving a creditable performance for the 1980s and 1990s.

Ventus sailplanes won two World Gliding Championships, competing against the ASW 20 and later the LS6 in the 15 m class.