Incident Summary
During the descent for landing, the pilot observed that the wind was from the south. Despite the wind direction, the pilot decided to land downwind, choosing the upsloping direction of the glider strip rather than landing upwind in the downsloping direction. This decision resulted in the pilot making the base leg too close to the strip, and he was high and fast on final approach.
Sequence of Events
As the glider approached the strip for landing, the pilot executed a flare. During the flare, a gust of wind raised the left wing. The sudden lift on the left wing caused the right wing to drag along the ground, which led the glider to ground loop. The wind at the time was gusting to 25 knots.
Environmental Conditions
The wind was from the south and gusty, with gusts reaching 25 knots. The glider strip had an upsloping direction and a downsloping direction, with the upslope running against the wind direction.
Contributing Factors
No contributing factors are stated in the source beyond the pilot's choice to land downwind and the gusty wind conditions.
Pilot Actions
The pilot observed the wind from the south and made the intentional decision to land downwind on the upsloping direction. He also set up a base leg that was too close to the strip, resulting in a high and fast final approach.