How can a chute weathervane if it is freely drifting with the wind?
This sounds like the old "downwind turn" myth of general aviation fame.

I can see that if the chute is descending rapidly through a strong wind
velocity gradient, it would tend to orient into or out of the wind (not
sure which) due to the height of the chute/risers/chutist stack.

If that is the effect being described, how much of a wind gradient is
required?

Just curious,

66