Abstract
The principles of slipstreaming or drafting are very well known in muscle-powered sports, but unknown in gravity-powered sports. Typical examples of gravity-powered sports, where several athletes are racing against each other, are ski-cross and snowboard-cross. The aim of this research is to investigate the effectiveness and practical applicability of slipstreaming in ski-cross. A glide model consisting of leading and trailing skiers was developed and used with existing aerodynamic drag and lift data sets from wind tunnel tests. Different scenarios were tested as to their effect on slipstreaming, such as variation of speed, skiers' mass, slope angle, air density, and racing posture (high/low tucked position). The higher the trailing skier's inertial force and acceleration is compared to the leading one, the quicker the trailing skier can catch up. Making more ground up on the racing track is related to higher speed, less body mass (of both skiers), flatter slope angle, denser air, and higher racing posture (high tucked position of both skiers). The glide model presented in this research can be used in the future for testing of slope track design, provided that precise dimensions of terrain features are available.
Highlights
Slipstreaming or drafting is a commonly used strategy in sports, in cycling (Barry et al, 2014, 2015), speed skating (Rundell, 1996), running (Pitcher, 2009), wheelchair racing, and other sports
The method consists of the following procedures: (1) establishing functions of aerodynamic drag and lift with respect to the distance between leading and trailing skiers from existing data sets (Fuss, 2011); (2) develop a glide model that returns speed and distance glided; and
If the drag area of the reference condition is reduced to 60%, the glide distance and time required for D = 1.5 m changes to 150.1 m and 5.83 s, and the glide distance and time required for overtaking changes to 44 m and 1.36 s
Summary
Slipstreaming or drafting is a commonly used strategy in sports, in cycling (Barry et al, 2014, 2015), speed skating (Rundell, 1996), running (Pitcher, 2009), wheelchair racing, and other sports. These sports disciplines, are muscle-powered, where slipstreaming reduces energetic demands. In 2006 and 2010 respectively, snowboard-cross and ski-cross became Olympic disciplines, where 4–6 athletes are racing against each other on the same track. As in alpine skiing, speed is crucial and the first athlete that crosses the finish line wins, which in turn requires obeying aerodynamics principles
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