Pulling the tow release at say 100 feet with no landable area ahead, therefore requiring you to turn back to the runway would be a more apt comparison as to the risk entailed.
How many times have you done that ?
Done it at 50' with a slow launch off the winch. Works much better than 100' over the winch at the end of the runway.
At low height:
- select least hostile terrain
- put it there at minimum speed
- call insurance company
Gliders end up in the trees with some frequency, usually with no damage to the crew. SEPs do pretty much as well, provided they don't stall or spin in.