0000000000783801
AUTHOR
Juha Kivekäs
The effect of wind on jumping distance in ski jumping – fairness assessed
The special wind compensation system recently adopted by Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS; International Ski Federation) to consider the effects of changing wind conditions has caused some controversy. Here, the effect of wind on jumping distance in ski jumping was studied by means of computer simulation and compared with the wind compensation factors used by FIS during the World Cup season 2009/2010. The results showed clearly that the effect of increasing head/tail wind on jumping distance is not linear: +17.4 m/ − 29.1 m, respectively, for a wind speed of 3 m/s. The linear formula used in the trial period of the wind compensation system was found to be appropriate only for a limited…
Is it still important to be light in ski jumping?
In ski jumping low body weight development resulted in some serious underweight problems and therefore the International Ski Federation (FIS) decided to solve the problem by relating maximum ski length to Body Mass Index (BMI) in 2004. The present study examined the current relationship between body weight, ski length and performance (jumping distance) in ski jumping. By adopting the BMI regulation to specifications for competition equipment, the FIS succeeded in stopping the alarming development of underweight problems in ski jumping. However, as the results of the present study show, the BMI regulation adopted by the FIS has reduced the advantage of being light, but despite the use of sho…
Aerodynamics of an isolated ski jumping ski
A single isolated ski was suspended from a six-component wind tunnel balance and three angles, the angle of attack, the yaw angle and the edge angle were adjustable during the test. Increasing yaw angle from 0 to 15° increased the lift coefficient CL from 0.42 to 0.90 at edge angle 0° and from 0.70 to 0.87 at edge angle 10°, respectively. Increasing yaw angle also increased the sensitivity of the ski to changes in edge angle, i.e., increasing the edge angle (20°–45°) decreased the CL and the ratio $$C_{L}^{2}/{C_D}$$ with large yaw angles. However, to maximize the lift-to-drag ratio with a typical angle of attack of 30° in ski jumping, it may be reasonable to have an edge angle of 5°–10° on…
The effect of wind on jumping distance in ski jumping depends on jumpers’ aerodynamic characteristics
Several studies have suggested re-evaluation of the wind compensation system (WCS) of the International Ski Federation (FIS). It was introduced in 2009, and since then, the system has been modified considerably, but major shortcomings have still remained. The present study compared the effect of tail/head wind on two reference jumps with different aerodynamic properties (Cd and Cl) during the flight phase. Jump distance and total tangential wind speed data of world cup competitions of the season 2020/2021 were used to analyse the FIS WCS and to offer basic information of wind effects. The correlation between the total tangential wind speed and the jump distance varied strongly among the ana…
Take-off aerodynamics in ski jumping
The effect of aerodynamic forces on the force-time characteristics of the simulated ski jumping take-off was examined in a wind tunnel. Vertical and horizontal ground reaction forces were recorded with a force plate installed under the wind tunnel floor. The jumpers performed take-offs in non-wind conditions and in various wind conditions (21-33 m s(-1)). EMGs of the important take-off muscles were recorded from one jumper. The dramatic decrease in take-off time found in all jumpers can be considered as the result of the influence of aerodynamic lift. The loss in impulse due to the shorter force production time with the same take-off force is compensated with the increase in lift force, res…
Ski jumping takeoff in a wind tunnel with skis.
The effect of skis on the force–time characteristics of the simulated ski jumping takeoff was examined in a wind tunnel. Takeoff forces were recorded with a force plate installed under the tunnel floor. Signals from the front and rear parts of the force plate were collected separately to examine the anteroposterior balance of the jumpers during the takeoff. Two ski jumpers performed simulated takeoffs, first without skis in nonwind conditions and in various wind conditions. Thereafter, the same experiments were repeated with skis. The jumpers were able to perform very natural takeoff actions (similar to the actual takeoff) with skis in wind tunnel. According to the subjective feeling of the…