On Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 6:46:48 AM UTC+11, Jonathan St. Cloud wrote:
Was reading an article by Mike Borgelt that when flying through a thermal you will not circle in you should just fly the STF.

I have always slowed in such thermals, sometimes slowing to thermal speed while putting the thermal flaps. I do try to accelerate before I leave the lift. My thought being try to stay in the lift as long as possible while still moving forward, sometimes even s-turning to stay in large thermal but still moving down the course line.

Would appreciate any comments, critique, thoughts...

The simple answer is to suck it and see, as it depends
When encountering lift, note the altimeter reading, then try any of the following: slowing down a little, a gentle pullup, a vigorous pullup and S-turn.