I would repeat what Scott said above as well. I've done quite a few launches as driver on our winch here at Utah Soaring, and we are always back to 1/3 or 1/4 throttle as the climb rate begins to slow and the glider begins to arc over at the top, and sometimes get all the way to idle by the time the back release engages. The less tension on the line the better the back release works, at least on our Astir.

I assume "signaling" is done by radio? If not, that seems to be a "weak link" in the process chain, as Dave suggests.

Mike