Last week one of our club pilots took off and found one of his brake handles well and truly tied between the lines with no control on one side (Via the brake handle) plus it was enough to turn the glider. An unpleasant situation where he had to control best he could and make a bottom landing to sort things out.
The very same happened to me yesterday! It was only a touch windy and the canopy was thrashing around on take off so I pulled it down the face with a few wraps on the brake lines. I can only think that I must have for some reason let go of one of the brakes for a second for this to happen? After getting the canopy up and a quick turn I was off the deck and settled into the harness, this is when I noticed the immediate turn to the right. I steered left to compensate then seen the right brake handle well and truly in a tangle.
I flew straight out from the hill and got myself sorted by pulling on the brake line when I got bumped to the left. I tried for what seemed ages to work out the *astard tangle but it kept getting worse, I was doomed for a bottom landing and more ridicule, but the thought of Brian Day enjoying my predicament made me try once more. This time I got the tangle out but was over the trees just before the road
After whooping for joy as I popped above the ridge the image of Brian disappeared just like one of those devils you see sitting on people's shoulders in the cartoons.
Thanks Brian I owe you one PLUS I will use this psychology when flying with my club team
So should it happen to you I would suggest the same tactics. Fly away from the hill get yourself sorted and keep the glider flying as straight as possible. When clear of the hill try and rectify the problem if possible failing that land as best possible. WHATEVER you do don't bring up a mental image of Brian day Smirking it will have you thermalling up to cloud base and might compromise your safety.
JW