Incident Overview
A glider pilot reported encountering blustery winds of 15 to 20 knots during a landing approach. According to the pilot's statement, the approach began with a turn to final at 350 feet with full spoilers deployed. At 200 feet, the pilot reduced spoilers to 25 percent, maintaining an airspeed of 75 to 80 miles per hour (mph). At 100 feet, spoiler deployment was increased to 50 percent.
Sequence of Events
The pilot stated that at approximately 25 feet above the runway, a sudden loss of velocity occurred, followed by the glider assuming a nose-down attitude. After contacting the runway, the nose rose, and the glider became airborne again. The pilot then applied full spoilers with a forward slide in an attempt to flare the glider. The nose touched down, and immediately after, the tail contacted the ground. The glider became airborne once more, then touched down and stopped within 15 to 20 feet.
Pilot Actions
The report indicates that the pilot managed the spoilers and airspeed throughout the approach, adjusting settings at various altitudes. The pilot's description of the final moments includes an attempt to recover from the bounced condition by using full spoilers and a forward control input.