Abstract

A simulation model for consecutive turns in Alpine skiing can be used for a variety of purposes like (a) designing and evaluating ski properties such as length, camber, side cut, and bending and torsional stiffness, (b) analyzing skiing techniques such as parallel turning, carving, and drifting, (c) finding the optimal trajectory between gates, and (d) investigating and preventing injuries like an ACL tear. In the present paper, our skier model (Filippi Oberegger et al., 2010; Heinrich et al., 2009) is combined with a ski-snow interaction model (Heinrich et al., 2010). A reference run is simulated with the combined model. Afterwards, the hip and knee flexion-extension pattern, the hip angulation, and the ultimate shear stress of snow are varied. The effects of these parameter studies on edging, turn radius, ski penetration depth, and skidding are analyzed. With the presented simulation model, we were able to compute consecutive skiing turns for various steering movements of the skier and different snow properties. In particular, we gave quantitative results of the effects of hip and knee flexion-extension, hip angulation, and shear stress of snow on turn radius, velocity of the skier, and edging angles. Aus dem Text