A trajectory simulation model to analyse the factors influencing the descent of a Skeleton athlete
A trajectory simulation model to analyse the factors influencing the descent of a Skeleton athlete
Subtle differences in aerodynamic drag, ice friction and sprint start, all influenced by the skill and physique of athletes, determine the descent time and hence competitive success in the sport of Skeleton. A trajectory based simulation was created by parameterising the geometry of the Altenberg Ice Track in Saxony, Germany to find the physically realistic descent time that captures the physics of the aerodynamic drag, ice friction and sprint start. A sensitivity study was used to analyse the influence of each factor on the overall performance down a fixed mid-line trajectory. Comparisons are made to the actual descent times to confirm applicability for a set of male and female sliders. It was found that the combined mass of the athlete and sled should be maximised within the rules, the initial velocity from the push should be as fast as possible, the aerodynamic drag should be optimised for each athlete and the ice friction of the runners reduced to their lowest limit. If each variable is optimum, then the final race standings will depend solely on the skill of the athlete traversing the ice track by finding the ‘best’ trajectory.
Olympic Games, Winter Olympics, Winter sports, aerodynamic drag, ice friction, performance sports, skeleton, sliding sports
Vracas, N.S.
b51323f6-2da1-4254-bf7f-914fe103ad29
Short, D.
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Turnock, S.R.
d6442f5c-d9af-4fdb-8406-7c79a92b26ce
Banks, J.
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Taunton, D.J.
10bfbe83-c4c2-49c6-94c0-2de8098c648c
20 January 2023
Vracas, N.S.
b51323f6-2da1-4254-bf7f-914fe103ad29
Short, D.
8abf7ab0-0833-4979-870c-d4a05f2af055
Turnock, S.R.
d6442f5c-d9af-4fdb-8406-7c79a92b26ce
Banks, J.
3e915107-6d17-4097-8e77-99c40c8c053d
Taunton, D.J.
10bfbe83-c4c2-49c6-94c0-2de8098c648c
Vracas, N.S., Short, D., Turnock, S.R., Banks, J. and Taunton, D.J.
(2023)
A trajectory simulation model to analyse the factors influencing the descent of a Skeleton athlete.
Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology.
(doi:10.1177/17543371221150820).
Abstract
Subtle differences in aerodynamic drag, ice friction and sprint start, all influenced by the skill and physique of athletes, determine the descent time and hence competitive success in the sport of Skeleton. A trajectory based simulation was created by parameterising the geometry of the Altenberg Ice Track in Saxony, Germany to find the physically realistic descent time that captures the physics of the aerodynamic drag, ice friction and sprint start. A sensitivity study was used to analyse the influence of each factor on the overall performance down a fixed mid-line trajectory. Comparisons are made to the actual descent times to confirm applicability for a set of male and female sliders. It was found that the combined mass of the athlete and sled should be maximised within the rules, the initial velocity from the push should be as fast as possible, the aerodynamic drag should be optimised for each athlete and the ice friction of the runners reduced to their lowest limit. If each variable is optimum, then the final race standings will depend solely on the skill of the athlete traversing the ice track by finding the ‘best’ trajectory.
Text
17543371221150820
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e-pub ahead of print date: 20 January 2023
Published date: 20 January 2023
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
This work was carried out as part of the doctoral research at the University of Southampton with support from the British Bobsleigh & Skeleton Association and the English Institute of Sport.
Publisher Copyright:
© IMechE 2023.
Keywords:
Olympic Games, Winter Olympics, Winter sports, aerodynamic drag, ice friction, performance sports, skeleton, sliding sports
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 476628
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/476628
ISSN: 1754-3371
PURE UUID: eae52307-0694-42bb-afb6-4936e7979aaa
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Date deposited: 10 May 2023 16:43
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 03:21
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Author:
N.S. Vracas
Author:
D. Short
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