Since Giraud has been mentioned:
Something perhaps similar to Giraud's Mont Blanc technique, was taught and used at the French National Gliding Centre at Montaigne Noire, close to Revel, some miles to the east of Toulouse in 1950. This involved landing to the south, up a steep slope and with a tail wind. One aimed to stop near the top so that a short winch launch could be used so a further flight could be made, after turning the glider round and into the wind. Most flights were done taking off and landing along the ridge, to east or west.