The late 1960s were a period of strong growth for soaring in the US, and Mid-Georgia Soaring Association (MGSA) of Monroe, GA, was no exception. Bermuda High Soaring, started by Joe and Lucy Giltner in Chester, SC, in the late 1960s, began to host regional soaring competitions in the late 1960s. These contests were very successful, drawing many from the North for an early-spring lead-in to the competition season.

In that same time period, many leading MGSA members, stimulated by the new generation of all-fiberglass competition sailplanes, the Libelle, Standard Cirrus, and ASW-15, and by several years experience in cross-country soaring, turned their interests toward serious competition. In early 1970, a group composed of Dave Culpepper, Woody Woodward, and John Karlovich decided to explore the possibilities for soaring competitions in South Georgia, an area noted for wide-open rural country and many World War II-era ex-military airfields.

A survey tour of that area resulted in Crisp County Airport in Cordele, GA, being the top candidate. The airport, an old B-25 training base with three 5000 ft runways and only very limited local and transient traffic, as well as the crop-dusting operations typical of the area, was ideal, with a friendly airport manager, Dub Cooper. Forming an alliance with interested soaring groups in North Florida, MGSA launched into the world of Regional contest sponsorship. The first South Region V Soaring Contest was held in 1970.

Since then, every spring or summer has featured a Regional or National contest, all except two in the late 1980s held at Tifton. Initial Cordele contests were held in August, based upon early local weather information, hence the term "Cordele Ordeal", due to the high humidity and thunderstorm conditions typical of that period in South Georgia. With the excellent weather and resulting success of the Standard Class Nationals in early June, contests have since been held close to Memorial Day in late May.

Many MGSA members have served as contest workers and organizers over the years. Some have retained their involvement with the contest after moving from the Atlanta area and leaving MGSA. A few of those involved, Bob Davis, for example, have served at every Cordele Region V South Contest since its’ inception.

Many in the early group became notable competitors on the national level, with Dave Culpepper winning the Standard Class Nationals in 1979 in his LS-3, flying with locked flaps. Over the years, numerous other Region V South competitors have become notable on the national competition scene. Typical of those are Dick Butler, Alfonso Jurado, Johnny Byrd, Sam Giltner, Sam Zimmermann, and Fernando Silva.

In addition to hosting Regionals at Cordele, the contest organization was quick to realize the potential of an excellent airport site, a friendly town, and good spring and summer racing weather. Beginning with the 1983 Standard Class Nationals and 1985 15 Meter Nationals, numerous Nationals have been held at Cordele.

In recent years the 1991 Sport Class Nationals, the 1997 Standard Class Nationals, and the 2003 Open and 18 Meter Nationals, 2008 Standard Class Nationals have been very successful.

The current contest organization has much experience and depth. Some of the organizers are experienced competition pilots themselves. Others are highly experienced in competition operations both Cordele and other sites.