Yeah, not the greatest of days to be doing my SEP revalidation, with a 17 kt crosswind too boot. Actually, the steep turns were not the issue, more the flapless approach to land bang on the numbers, with strong thermal activity right down to 300 feet. That was middle of the day. I was told it was actually worse around 5pm, which is unusual in my experience.
I remember some years ago on an exceptionally hot day flying into Sanford Fl. in truly horrendous thermal conditions, with cross controls to keep it level and having to zoom climb constantly to keep the altitude (hot days and the effects on engine performance. We were 3 up). Was shattered once on the ground.
Constant and refined tuning of power and feint pitch adjustments get you through......and a hard hat. All part of growing the experience of really getting to know your boundaries and capabilities in working the aircraft.