U.S. Olympic Speed Skaters Revolutionize Team Event with NASCAR Bump Drafting
American speed skaters are innovating in the Team Pursuit event, incorporating techniques reminiscent of NASCAR bump drafting. This shift aims to enhance their performance on the ice.
Understanding Team Pursuit Speed Skating
The Team Pursuit event features two teams of three skaters racing on a 400-meter track. Each team competes in a synchronized fashion, completing six laps. The U.S. women’s team includes standout athletes such as Brittany Bowe, Mia Manganello, and Giorgia Birkeland.
Speed in this event can exceed 30 mph, requiring skaters to maintain perfect synchronization. As Birkeland noted, the goal is to appear as a single entity as team members closely follow one another during the race.
The Technique Revolution
Historically, Team Pursuit has relied on drafting techniques. However, recent insights from sports aerodynamicist Ingmar Jungnickel have revolutionized this approach. His research led to an AI-powered simulation tool that optimizes skaters’ aerodynamics, significantly reducing drag.
Jungnickel’s model enabled U.S. skaters to adopt a pushing technique, akin to bump drafting used in NASCAR. This method allows skaters to share the work and accelerate more efficiently. The results have been promising; the U.S. team moved from eighth to first in global rankings by embracing this innovative strategy.
The Training Shift
In preparation for the 2022 Beijing Games, U.S. Speedskating redefined its training programs. Instead of a uniform approach, skaters began specializing in specific positions—first, second, or third—to maximize their effectiveness on the ice.
- First Position: Initiates speed and sets the pace.
- Second Position: Provides support while maintaining speed.
- Third Position: Trusts the lead skaters while maintaining close proximity.
Birkeland emphasized the importance of trust and reading body language in this context. “You have to be so close to them. Trust is a huge thing,” she stated.
The Future of Team Pursuit
The shift to the pushing technique has become a global standard, with the top finishing teams in the 2022 Olympic Games adopting it. As this technique matures, it is expected that most competing teams will utilize it in future competitions.
As the U.S. women’s team continues to refine their strategy, they not only aim to achieve podium finishes but also to transform Team Pursuit into a highly competitive event on the world stage.
