On Monday, 7 August 2017 17:05:45 UTC-6, Dave Nadler wrote:
On Monday, August 7, 2017 at 5:12:19 PM UTC-5, Tom BravoMike wrote:
Is there a minimum altitude they are allowed to release at, or is it
about a distance from the start or an area assigned for release?
Anybody knows in this specific case and competition?

In many/most competition rules release must be at a specified altitude.
Reason being if you get off early (even in great lift), you're now
a traffic hazard in the (for large contests very dense) towing pattern.
When the towing is done properly and everyone delivered into a
thermal just at release altitude, the traffic hazard is greatly reduced.
In a contest with 100 gliders this is a big deal! And even with 30...

Hope that helps,
Best Regards, Dave

What Dave said but here are the bloody details from FAI rules http://www.fai.org/igc-documents


I have not read the local procedures

Rule from Annex A

7.3.3 Release Areas Release areas and towing patterns shall be described in the Local Procedures. The release areas shall be clearly separated and positioned in a way that makes it possible to establish safe and efficient towing patterns.

The standard release height or altitude shall be given in the Local Procedures and may be modified at Briefing.
a. Each release area should normally be used by one class at a time.
b. Pilots shall not release until after the tow pilot has rocked the wings of the towplane. Pull-ups before releasing are prohibited.
c. The Organisers shall ensure that the release areas and the release altitudes for launching are selected to enable competitors to land safely on the contest site for a relaunch, after allowing adequate time and altitude to search for lift after release.
d. The Organisers may establish areas around the contest site within which
continuous circling is prohibited or is permitted in one direction only. The
rules regarding circling in the vicinity of the contest site must be stated in the Local Procedures

Penalties (formatting is screwy)

Type of Offence First Offence Subsequent Offence Max Penalty

Towing: early or late release Warning (n-1) x 25 pts Disqualification
Towing: pull-up before release Warning Day Disqual. Disqualification