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The key to being a really great thermaller in all situations is to
be adaptable. I like to think of 5 distinct methods for thermalling and choosing
the right one will help you climb efficiently. Early in your flying career you
will need to be very conscious of selecting the right method, but as you gain
experience it becomes more and more automatic. That said, I know some really
good XC pilots who seem to lose their edge in certain conditions; perhaps they
need to look again at the five methods!