Photo Audi

Hundredths of a second can make a difference in Alpine ski racing. That is why besides technique and skill also aerodynamics and equipment play an important role. With home Worlds approaching rapidly, the Austrian Ski Association is taking it seriously and hence sent speed racers Klaus Kröll, Max Franz, Georg Streitberger and Joachim Puchner on Friday to wind tunnel tests at Audi in Ingolstadt where they could take advantage of the enormous technical know-how of their long-term partner. The various tests proved extremely helpful to optimize the material and the aerodynamic positions. The wind tunnel center in Ingolstadt is known as one of the most modern in the world and enables simulation of speeds up to 300 km/h.

Burkhard Schaffer, Austrian men’s speed coach, stated: „The tests in the Audi wind tunnel are an important building block for the preparation for next season. The conclusions help us optimize the downhill position of the different athletes. But they also help provide important findings for the materials and will be provided to our suit manufacturer to further enhance their work."

Klaus Kröll added: „Our sport is infamous for the small differences between the winners and losers. That’s why we have to focus on realizing the optimal solutions especially in the area of materials. For me this was the first time in the wind tunnel but when I see the level of detailed work that goes on here I already know that this was worth the trip."

Source: OeSV

Previous | Back to the list | Next