James Richardson (Engineering 2008) has been testing the aerodynamics of some of Britain’s best speed skiers at the Department of Engineering.
James’ fourth-year research project 'The Aerodynamics of Speed Skiing' has analysed the aerodynamics that affect the drag of a skier, and has guided the development of a training rig that allows skiers to examine their own drag inside the wind tunnel in real-time.
The rig consists of a fixed set of skis inside the tunnel, a force-measurement device, and a computer display set into the tunnel floor between the skis. Several competitive skiers – including UK #1 Alpine skier Ed Drake, British DSH speed ski record-holder Tom Horn, and members of the British Junior Ski team - were invited to the Department to test the equipment.
Reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with Tom Horn commenting: "I've learnt more about speed skiing in the last five minutes than I have in five years of speed skiing!"
Anglia News item about the project >>
Below: Tom Horn inside the Markham Wind Tunnel
Posted: 25 June 2012