Student Article

Winter sports athletes often use science and equipment to gain a competitive edge.

Speed skating:

In speed skating, athletes use clap-skates with a hinge that keeps the blade on the ice longer, enhancing power transfer from their legs into forward motion. Skaters achieve optimal speed by angling their blades about 35 degrees from forward and using sweeping strides on straight sections. On bends, they take short steps like climbing stairs sideways to maintain speed.

Bobsledding:

Bobsledding teams benefit from heavier athletes who reduce drag and provide a powerful push-off. The sleds are designed to minimize ice friction and aerodynamic drag while maximizing speed. As the sled corners, centrifugal force throws it up the bank. The driver's skill in maintaining the perfect racing line is crucial to avoid losing speed.

Curling:

Curling involves sliding 40-pound granite stones on pebbled ice. The stones have handles that can be twisted to make them spin. The ice is pebbled by spraying it with water, which forms raised bumps upon freezing. Sweeping the ice ahead of the stone reduces friction by increasing the temperature and softening the ice, allowing the stone to travel farther.

Ski jumping:

Ski jumpers soar through the air after launching off a hill. They tuck into a crouched position during the initial run to reduce drag. In flight, they lean forward and form a V with their skis to maximize lift. Light and lean athletes have a better lift-to-weight ratio, helping them fly farther. The slope of the hill is carefully chosen so the skier is never very high above the ground, allowing for a soft landing.

Snowboarding:

Snowboard cross is a race where four snowboarders navigate a downhill course with ramps, twists, and cambered turns. Medal-winning snowboarders choose to jump more than necessary to reduce drag. Traveling through the air slows them down less than carving through snow. The narrow course makes it difficult to overtake others unless the leader falls.

Giant slalom:

In giant slalom, skiers maneuver between poles as quickly as possible. They are propelled downwards by gravity, but much of this energy is dissipated overcoming friction and drag. Modern carving turns are facilitated by side-cut skis, which naturally turn when pressure is applied in the right place. This technique is much faster than the parallel turns used until the 1980s, when older straight-edged skis were used. Skiers also use fancy ski waxes and slippery suits to minimize friction and drag.

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