Research engineers from the University of Southampton have been working with British Skeleton and UK Sport in helping athletes prepare for major competitions since October 2006.
Like most top competing nations at the Winter Games the British Bob Skeleton Association, led by Performance Director Andi Schmid, in partnership with UK Sport, has worked with various science and technology partners, including the University of Southampton, to ensure the best programme was in place for their athletes ahead of the Vancouver 2010 Games. This included cutting edge techniques in terms of the athletes’ physical conditioning and preparation, as well as the kit and equipment for use in competition.
Rachel Blackburn and James Roche, a pair of post-graduate engineering students at the PSEL designed the Gold medal winning sled used by Amy Williams at the Vancouver games.