Effects of air drag and drafting in double poling cross‑country skiing

Drafting in cross-country skiing is a research area that is completely unexplored. In view of the fact that more and more cross-country and biathlon competitions at international level are carried out with a so-called mass start, it is highly relevant to investigate how much force and energy skiers can save through drafting. That is, skiing behind other skiers who act "locomotive" and thus take most of the braking force of the air resistance.

The significance of air resistance will be studied by letting cross country skiers go roller skiing behind / in front of each other on the large treadmill in the wind tunnel at Sports Tech Research Centre. The results will show at what speed energy expenditure and propulsive force are significantly changed due to drafting.

The project is co-financed by the Swedish Research Council for Sport Science (CIF).