A Cravat (French for “necktie”) results from having the wing-tip of your glider drop down and get caught in the lines, resembling a poorly knotted tie. The wing-tip is then trapped in an asymmetric tuck, which, if unfixed, can turn the glider, possibly leading to a spiral dive. In the early stage, this configuration can be corrected by controlling your heading with weight-shift and opposite brake and then pulling the stabilo line that attaches to your wing-tip. The stabilo line is usually the outermost B or C line and connects to your wing-tip. Pulling the stabilo line on the cravatted side will pull the wing-tip out. If allowed to go uncorrected ,a cravat can lead to a steep spiral dive. If this occurs, you can still try to slow the rate of turn and get the wing-tip released. However, if you cannot do this before the spiral dive accelerates, or your altitude is low, you should throw your reserve.
Quick Review
Causes: Large, messy asymmetric wing tip deflations while thermal flying or performing wingovers.
Recovery: Maintain heading with opposite weight shift and minimal braking. Reel in stabilo line until Cravat releases - sometimes this will require several tugs or quick pulls.
Dangers: Large Cravats may cascade quickly into a steep uncontrollable spiral dive.