On Mar 15, 7:09*pm, wrote:
When on final glide, the optimal speed to fly is different and clearly
depends on the wind. It no longer depends on the speed of the "next"
thermal, since there isn't one. It seems like a totally different
optimization to me.

To determine the "optimum" speed to fly you need to state the
objective. The speed or MC setting to achive max glide distance may
not be the speed or MC setting that gives the shortest time to the
destination.

For best speed there is an interaction between thermal strength and MC
setting even though the final glide does not end with a thermal
climb. The MC setting is based on the strength of the thermal you are
currently using to reach final glide altitude. The combination of
wind, thermal strength, and distance to go, will determine not only
the final glide MC setting but also when to leave the last thermal.

Of course you can forget all that if you practice the start at zero MC
and bump up final glide technique.

Andy