bagmaker wrote:
Newbie help required!
Lets suppose I am on a shallow final glide, 60k out in my 40:1 ship,
cruising at 60 knots. Recent thermals have been at least 5 knots and I
am coming into some big lift. For the discussion rough air Vne is 100
knots.
What strength thermal should I take to increase finishing speed to Vne
and how much (if any) time will this save me?
How do I estimate this at the time? What is the latest point on track
to take such a thermal?

Once you HAVE final glide, you should not stop for lift unless you fall
below the glide path. If you have a 5kt thermal day, you will be on
final glide at a speed somewhat faster than 60kts!

As a rule of thumb, if you are in a gaggle climbing to achieve final
glide, the first one to leave will get home first (provided they have
enough height). I have tried staying in a 6 kt thermal and flying a 6kt
final glide rather than leaving at the 4kt final glide mark (when other
gliders left) and I did not catch them up, despite my higher speed.

On final glide, if I do hit lift, I may slow slightly to use the good
air but generally I hold my speed and keep flying. On a good day, you
can leave below final glide and pick up enough height to get home this way.