Quote: The greater the wind speed, and wind gradient the higher you are
likely to be
able to pull up. I am not sure but at a guess I would say this would
also work
to some degree for coss wind, as the relative wind speed would also
tend to
increase (with increased track angle) to maintain ground track.

Wouldn't this work only if you were going upwind? Most contest
finishes/pullups I've seen were downwind so a gradient would hurt, not
help you. Am I all wet on this?

Someone spoke earlier of the Albatross and their ability to work the
gradient. They work slightly downwind from true crosswind, gaining
speed (inertia), in the orographic lift at the top of the wave, and
then turn upwind abruptly allowing their inertial force and the wind
gradient to propel them up pretty high. This gives them the ability to
work upwind from wave system to wave system. They are able to soar
great distances at sea this way, and their pullups are into the wind...

Jack Womack