Thirty five years ago I certainly broke a UK winch launch height record from
Hus Bos. After packing the hangar for the day because of 25kt plus westerly,
a handful of us elected to do some kiting. I was the lucky one in a
Swallow, and kited up through a thin layer of stratus to just over 3,000'
when a jerk on the cable warned me it had broken. I dutifully released my
end and celebrated with a half dozen loops down and up through the stratus.

When I eventually landed, everyone was running around. I learned that the
winch driver had been a little late the drum of outgoing cable and the end
of the cable had pulled off the drum. When I released the 3ft parachute my
end opened and the wind dragged around 4,000' of solid steel wire a couple
of miles cross country - blacking out a couple of villages en-route. We
spent several hours (and experienced much apprehension) retreiving and
cutting the cable into manageable pieces, and carting it away in the back of
a truck.

We swore each other to secrecy, and vowed never to repeat the adventure. We
had no repercussions despite media reports of blackouts. I think now the
tale can be told...
Lou Frank

"OscarCVox" wrote in message
...
At our site in the UK we are restricted to a max 300ft winch launch.
However I
have seen this achieved several times.
Well over 3000 ft is achievable if you use the kiting technique, ie let
cable
out slowly when the glider is at the top of the launch but still attached,
then
wind in to kite up to a higher level. This can be repeated until you run
out of
cable. It is only achievable with a substantial headwind.