Aerbabe,
Don`t be disparaging about the `piece of string`.
1. It`s probably finest virgin wool.
2. It`s the best slip indicator you will ever come across.
It does have a disturbing tendency not to work when rained upon though but a good glider pilot can probably line up with the airflow pretty well simply by the sound of the air flowing over his (or her) aircraft.
Red `L`
You are doing it the wrong way around. You should glide first and then do the easy bit later.
Enjoy!
Mike W