We were talking about landings in a field surrounded by high obstacles. Let's look at another example in this sort of situation. If the wind is from moderate to strong, as I said before, you've chosen the wrong field. However, if you have no choice and you have to land there even in a strong wind, it may be better to use the figure-of-eights approach. Because of the wind, you won't fly real eights, but you will move crab-wise back and forth along the downwind side of the field until you are just a few metres from the top of the trees or buildings.

    If you choose the standard C-type circuit, you have to be prepared for changes in windspeed and therefore changes in your height. This means that it may be necessary to make extra turns in order to use up excess height, or shorten the downwind or crosswind legs if you find yourself in a current of descending air. In these conditions it is very important to stay close to the perimeter of the field. Whatever the circuit you have chosen - figure-of-eights or standard - once you are over the final obstacle, increase your speed to just below top speed (not the fastest possible, because lateral control is not perfect when the bar is close to your knees) and line up for finals. It is important to increase your speed just before you reach the area in which the effects of wind gradient are marked. This usually starts from about ten metres above the top of the obstacles. If you let the relative windspeed drop off, because of the wind gradient, you may not be able to maintain correct control of the glider.

    Landing in these conditions is very difficult, because of the powerful turbulence and the steep wind gradient. You have to remember, above all, to keep the wings level and the direction correct. Keep speed high until the moment that you level out just above the ground, and then continue in ground-effect until the kinetic energy acquired has been depleted. It is fundamental to maintain sufficient speed until you are very close to the ground, where the wind gradient disappears and turbulence is greatly reduced. The stronger the wind gradient and turbulence - in other words, the stronger the wind and the higher and closer the obstacles - the lower you will start reducing speed. And if you manage to perform a stand-up landing - I take my hat off to you!

Pre-European Competition 2003, Millau, France
    This task was for a flight of about 100 km. It began with a few kilometres in dynamic uplift, on the cliffs dropping from the plateau into the bowl of Millau. Then a 50 km section, almost all with a tailwind, over another of these enormous plateaus. The rapid transition from a sky punctuated with cumulus clouds to the blue thermals of the plateau caused problems for everybody. After having regained height from fairly low altitudes twice, when I was still twenty kilometres from the finishing line, I began to prepare for the final glide down. Of course, I didn't want to let those who had started after me catch up with me, and so I let my confidence run away with me. Stupidly, I didn't exploit the 3 m/sec thermals.

    The distance to the goal required a glide ratio of over 17, and my Laminar 4.2 could have enabled me to arrive... if it hadn't been for a hill that blocked my path three kilometres from the finishing line.

    There was a small clearing below, surrounded by bushes and trees, some at least 5 metres high. I had little more than the bare minimum of height necessary to reach the downwind side of the clearing, while I ruefully thought of the 3-metre thermals that I had ignored, and the better landing fields that I had left behind a few kilometres earlier. But this clearing was now the only chance at landing I had left.

    I slowed down... my speed over the ground was very slow. Even slower. For a few intense seconds, I remained suspended in the air. I imagine that a falcon must have the same sensation when, just before diving onto his prey, he hovers and observes it. His life depends on the success of his attack. I tried to anticipate the gusts of wind, and when I would begin to feel the wind gradient. I trusted in the glider...

    And thanks to the glider's wings, for a brief moment the sensation of "feeling", almost anticipating, the wind pattern gave me one of the most incredible experiences that I have ever had flying. I really felt that those wings were my wings ...

    But I didn't have time to dwell on these thoughts. I had to get ready. I increased my speed and flew into the rotor turbulence and the wind gradient caused by the trees. The turbulence was so powerful and variable that I had difficulty in maintaining a straight course. There was no question of moving my hands up to the downtubes. I landed on my front, or rather on the control bar and a shoulder. No damage.

    Later, thinking of the thermals left behind and the missed goal, I wouldn't be able to feel angry, because of the remarkable experience that this landing gave me. But next time, I'll choose a slightly larger field.