We have established an international reputation in the field of performance sports engineering over four decades, and we are continually striving to push the boundaries in the pursuit of sporting greatness.
Using sound science and creative engineering, we've helped shape the world you know today.
Find out how we've been making history
The first moving ground in a UK university was installed in our 7’ x 5’ wind tunnel; revolutionising car design through research into vehicles in ‘ground effect’. Our facility was used by Formula One teams Brabham and McLaren, and for Richard Noble’s Project Thrust.
Following the Fastnet Disaster in 1979 our researchers carried out investigations into capsize mechanisms, and conducted extensive towing tank tests to improve the understanding of yacht stability. This research is now core to current vessel stability requirements.
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Adrian Newey OBE graduated from the University with a First Class honours degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics. Currently Chief Technical Officer of the Red Bull Racing Formula One team, Adrian is the world’s most successful Formula One car designer having won more Constructors’ Championships than any other designer.
The R J Mitchell Wind Tunnel was presented to the University of Southampton by the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE), Farnborough, to support Formula One and IndyCar race development work. The moving ground section, still used today, is a major influence in race car design.
Penske Racing (now Team Penske) began developing their cars at the University of Southampton, including the PC-23, which took an unprecedented first three places at the Indy 500 in 1994. Penske developed their cars at the University from 1987 until 2003.
Our researchers provided tank testing and performance predictions for Team New Zealand, who won the America’s Cup in 1995. Team New Zealand went on to become the first successful non-American defender in 2000.
Towing tank and wind tunnel tests conducted by our researchers were used to design the Kingfisher yacht, sailed by Ellen MacArthur during her stunning performance in the Vendee Globe race.
Image courtesy of Thierry Martinez
Design by Humphreys Yacht Design and Owen Clark Design
Our engineers worked with four challengers for the 2003 America’s Cup, including defenders New Zealand and team Prada Challenge.
During the 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean Race when the new VO70 class of yacht was used, our engineers supplied tank testing services to the winning yacht ABN AMRO I. Our engineers also acted as technical consultants to the Race Management Group.
Image courtesy of WUMTIA
Our engineers worked with British Cycling, helping them win Gold at the Beijing Olympic Games. Our expertise were also utilised by the rowing, sailing and canoeing squads contributing to 15 of Britain’s 19 gold medals.
Our engineers contributed to the success of the top three finishers in the Transat Jacques Vabre yachting race.
University of Southampton students developed Amy Williams’ sled, Arthur, helping her win Gold at the Winter Olympic Games.
Our engineers supplied towing tank services to the designer of the sloop Kokomo, which won the award for best 40m+ sailing superyacht at the 2010 International Superyacht Society awards.
In the lead up to the Olympic Games, our engineers worked with British Cycling to find the optimal body position for improved performance, contributing to eight gold medals, two silvers and two bronze.
Our engineers provided poolside data support for British Swimming’s pre-Olympic training camp, using innovative speed and drag measurement systems, body-worn sensors, and underwater video.
The University of Southampton was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for innovation and world-leading expertise in performance engineering.
Our researchers provided support in aerodynamics, skeleton design, runner behaviour and performance analysis to Lizzy Yarnold and her team, helping her win Gold at the Winter Olympic Games.
Whilst opening the state-of-the-art Boldrewood Innovation Campus, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited and blessed our new 138 metre-long hydrosciences tank, which is the largest university towing tank in the UK, by pouring in water from Froude’s original tank built in the 1870s.
