(from OZ)
heard an interesting radio chat when last at the feild, this is the shortened version
tuggie- "(glider id)your too low, please come up higher"
I assume all the waggles and signs were also going on, then, with no radio response heard from the glider
tuggie-"(glider id) I am going to have to release you as I am running out of down elevator authority, tow higher immediately"
shortly after, tuggie advises feild that he has released the glider and is returning to the pie cart for a new rope, no big deal.
Please dont read into this what is not there. I beleive there was perhaps a radio failure in the glider as well, but all said, this was an extreme case and there was no problems or danger during the whole process. The chatter went on over a period of a couple of minutes, the tuggie did not sound bothered at any time (to me)

Now imagine if this occured in a high tow situation, with the glider too high -all reversed.
The tuggie would have about 3 milliseconds to release before being in grave danger of going in.
Thats why we low tow.

I was taught to release the rope, visually ensure it was gone (and say so to the instructor) then turn away (right in OZ). In turbulence I have seen the rings a couple of times beside me after release, but havent been hit by them, I daresay it does happen. In reality your doing the same speed as the rings/rope so it should only be a tap anyhow.
The tug pulls the rope away fairly smartly, I have not been a tuggie, but I have not heard of a tow continuing far because the tug hadnt noticed the glider was missing!

I always release in lift, too. I am in rising air, the tug has just passed through it and is sinking, usually, so the system works well. I am often amazed at people saying they pulled the plug at 2500' or 3000' or wherever, only to find no lift and return to the feild.
Give yourself a minimum release height specific to the day and circumstances, go past that height and wait behind the tug untill you hit a thermal. Get off, turn right, thermal, and go XC. simple



bagger