What Eric describes has happened, but the way to eliminate that event is
to sheathe the cable with plastic hosepipe of suitable size at the
glider end, so it is too stiff to wrap round the axle (or even enter
the wheel box area). It is one of many things where the technology and
operational procedures have been modified and developed over the years
to reduce accidents and incidents to the minumum, leaving only pilot
error/failure to act as trained as the remiaining significant factor.

Chris N.


Eric G: "I seem to recall some launches where the cable became tangled
in the
main wheel, when the winch jerked the glider forward, then paused very
briefly. This is caused the glider to pitch up too fast at the start,
and the pilot was unable to release, leading to a crash. [snip]"