Roger,
if you're really serious about competition, I think that the Venus II (or anything of that size) is much better than a 40 size plane. Don Szczur does splendid things with my old Sig Four Star 40, but I think that Pattern is something where size mateers, much more than sex. A good, reliable .91 2 stroke, not O.S., will not cost you an arm and a leg, as well as some aftermarket digital servos. I definitely would go for a .90 size aircraft!
Beppe