Too-flat winch launch ends in a cable-parachute strike on a Duo Discus

During a training winch launch at Fricktal-Schupfart, a Duo Discus was slightly damaged in a collision with the winch cable; both occupants uninjured. On the student's first flight on type, lift-off was normal but he held a flat path instead of climbing, reaching only ~13 m AGL. Noting the low airspeed, the instructor released the cable and took control. The freed cable's parachute — a large, easily-inflating type — inflated ahead of the glider, and as the winch driver reeled in hard, it and the forecable struck the right wing before an uneventful landing.

1. Winch launch (training): A student in front and an instructor in the rear began a winch launch in a Duo Discus from runway 25 at Fricktal-Schupfart; the ground run and lift-off were normal.
2. No transition into the climb: Instead of rotating into the climb, the student held a flat, near-horizontal path after lift-off, reaching only about 13 m above the ground.
3. Instructor aborts the launch: As the student went to pull up, the instructor called the low airspeed, released the winch cable and took over control.
4. Large parachute inflates: The freed cable's parachute — a large, easily-inflating ex-brake-chute — opened ahead of the glider.
5. Cable reeled in, wing struck: The winch driver reeled the cable in at full power to pull it clear; the parachute and forecable struck the right wing, yawing the glider briefly.
6. Landed, minor damage: The instructor landed without further incident; the right wing and aileron were slightly damaged and both occupants were uninjured.