Wind turbulence in speed skating: Measurement, simulation and its effect on aerodynamic drag

This paper presents the results of an investigation on the effect of wind turbulence for the reduction of drag for a speed skater. A speed skater competing in an indoor oval is subjected to turbulent flow conditions. Measurements of flow characteristics in a speed skating oval were made and a simulation of those conditions was developed in the NRC 2 m×3 m Wind Tunnel. Wind tunnel tests on mannequins of a speed skater with force measurement using an external balance have indicated that the reduction of drag coefficient with Reynolds number was strongly affected by the flow conditions. The effects were not consistent for three different positions of a speed skater.

► We measure the turbulence as seen by a speed skater in an oval.
► We simulate the appropriate turbulence in the NRC 2 m×3 m Wind Tunnel.
► We measure the impact of wind turbulence on drag reduction of a speed skater for three different positions.
► The effect of turbulence is different depending on the number of parts of the body that are in the critical Reynolds number range.