Can anyone comment if the "steep nose high attitude" was intentional? Were the previous launches straight line low hops which would seem to be safer? Low hops would keep both the glider and the (very important) automobile in the same camera frame. Could something have occurred in the cockpit which forced a dramatic change in pitch attitude?

Which, to me, points back to the length of the rope (234ft) and the tow car driver stating that "The pilot planned to become airborne and then circle back to the airport to land.". Really? Circle back using a 234ft launch rope? He would have only gotten, what, 100feet high? I would seriously doubt that this experienced of a glider pilot (CFIG) would have announced that he could "circle back" even if he thought he would get 200-300 ft sling shot like launch. If not then it flies in the face of what the driver said.

- John "Speculation" D.