ALPINE SKI. Norway's three best ski racers Lotte Smiseth Sejersted, Kjetil Jansrud and Aksel Lund Svindal had a chance to test their racing suits in the NTNU's wind tunnel in Trondheim on Friday. Together with its clothing partner Phenix and the NTNU, the Norwegian Ski Association is in the process of testing the suits just in time before the season starts.

photo © Aksel Lund Svindal

"Our goal is to try and be on par with the other nations in this area. Robert Reid has done a phenomenal job with this new project and we are convinced that the work will deliver results already during the coming winter. We are testing all elements, with the exception of helmets. We are looking for the most aerodynamic position, optimization of the racing suit materials and a few other things," commented Alpine Director Claus J. Ryste. "Other countries in Europe have been ahead of us in this area in the past." 
"We have never before been as engaged in constructing and improving racing suits. This is a long-term project designed with the Olympic Games in Sochi 2014 in mind," said sport scientist Robert Reid from the Norwegian Ski Association, widely known as the best in his field in Norway.

The wind tunnel tests of Friday provided the racers immediate results about aerodynamics. The high tech results delivered included details concerning fit of the test suits and how this could be optimized. The differences between the different tuck positions could also be clearly analyzed. With wind speeds of up to 25m per second and simulated freezing temperatures the wind tunnel tests delivered facts that will be immediately implemented as the racing suits for next season will need to be finalized in the next few weeks.

FISalpine.com
Saturday 24 September 2011

Aksel Lund Svindal training in Portillo, Chile

Very excited to be back in Portillo! And I think we'll get good training this year. There was some snow and fog today, but it all cleared up in the afternoon and it looks like we'll have good weather next week. So too foggy to take pics skiing today, but the sun came trough as I moved to the pool. It was nice to relax for two days down in Vina del mar, but this is what its all about. Kjetil and I took it very easy. Stopped by a club one night and danced up a storm:) But the rest of the time just hanging out. We looked up some good restaurants online, and they were very good. If you ever go there look up restaurants on Tripadvizor and go check them out. Awesome food and service for good prices.

by Aksel Lund Svindal
www.aksellundsvindal.com/blog
Posted on 04. September 2011

Portillo update

We have now skied in Portillo for 5 days. Lots of blue sky and good training and we are taking a day off.

photo © Aksel Lund Svindal

The training is a bit different this year, as Norway is almost a bigger team than Canada. They’ve been very unlucky with injuries lately. Robbie Dixon is the only 100% healthy athlete they have. Kucera is on his way back and is looking good. Poor guy broke his leg twice. But with Eric Guay, Manny Osbourne-Paradise, Jan Hudec and Francois Bouque missing, it is a very small team. I think Francois might have retired after he injured his knee again, but I hope not cause he’s one of the best GS skiers I have ever seen. But enough of that. Touch wood… Kjetil, Robbie and I have been ripping up the training here in Portillo, and now it is time for a day off. And good timing as it’s snowed all night and we couldn’t have skied downhill anyway. Lost like a lot of blue sky the next 10 days. Better relax today, cause it might be the only day we do take off.

by Aksel Lund Svindal
www.aksellundsvindal.com/blog
Posted on 09. September 2011

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