Ski jumping performance is strongly affected by wind. Flight technique optimization for maximizing jump length is a highly complex motor-control task that also depends on the wind. Pontryagin's minimum principle was used in this study to gain a better understanding on how wind influences flight technique optimization. Optimum time courses of the angle of attack $\alpha$ of the skis and of the body-to-ski angle $\beta$ were computed for seven realistic wind scenarios on the large hill and on the flying hill. The optimum values of $\alpha$ were smaller at headwind, and larger at tailwind when compared to the optimum time course at calm wind. The optimum values of $\beta$ were the smallest possible ones at the given flight technique constraints, except for the last part of the flight. Optimum adjustments of $\alpha$ increased the jump lengths between 0 and 1.8 m on the large hill, and between 0 and 6.4 m on the flying hill. Maximum jump length increases were achieved at the highest headwind speed. Even larger jump length effects can be achieved by using smaller $\beta$-angles, which might be possible in headwind conditions, but this is associated with increased problems to keep the flight stable.
%0 Journal Article
%1 Jung2019
%A Jung, Alexander
%A Müller, Wolfram
%A Staat, Manfred
%D 2019
%J Journal of Biomechanics
%K Computer aerodynamics,Winter control,Ski flying,Sport simulation,Optimal sports
%P 190--193
%R 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.03.023
%T Optimization of the flight technique in ski jumping: The influence of wind
%U https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0021929019302015 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30940358
%V 88
%X Ski jumping performance is strongly affected by wind. Flight technique optimization for maximizing jump length is a highly complex motor-control task that also depends on the wind. Pontryagin's minimum principle was used in this study to gain a better understanding on how wind influences flight technique optimization. Optimum time courses of the angle of attack $\alpha$ of the skis and of the body-to-ski angle $\beta$ were computed for seven realistic wind scenarios on the large hill and on the flying hill. The optimum values of $\alpha$ were smaller at headwind, and larger at tailwind when compared to the optimum time course at calm wind. The optimum values of $\beta$ were the smallest possible ones at the given flight technique constraints, except for the last part of the flight. Optimum adjustments of $\alpha$ increased the jump lengths between 0 and 1.8 m on the large hill, and between 0 and 6.4 m on the flying hill. Maximum jump length increases were achieved at the highest headwind speed. Even larger jump length effects can be achieved by using smaller $\beta$-angles, which might be possible in headwind conditions, but this is associated with increased problems to keep the flight stable.
@article{Jung2019,
abstract = {Ski jumping performance is strongly affected by wind. Flight technique optimization for maximizing jump length is a highly complex motor-control task that also depends on the wind. Pontryagin's minimum principle was used in this study to gain a better understanding on how wind influences flight technique optimization. Optimum time courses of the angle of attack $\alpha$ of the skis and of the body-to-ski angle $\beta$ were computed for seven realistic wind scenarios on the large hill and on the flying hill. The optimum values of $\alpha$ were smaller at headwind, and larger at tailwind when compared to the optimum time course at calm wind. The optimum values of $\beta$ were the smallest possible ones at the given flight technique constraints, except for the last part of the flight. Optimum adjustments of $\alpha$ increased the jump lengths between 0 and 1.8 m on the large hill, and between 0 and 6.4 m on the flying hill. Maximum jump length increases were achieved at the highest headwind speed. Even larger jump length effects can be achieved by using smaller $\beta$-angles, which might be possible in headwind conditions, but this is associated with increased problems to keep the flight stable.},
added-at = {2019-12-23T09:34:32.000+0100},
author = {Jung, Alexander and M{\"{u}}ller, Wolfram and Staat, Manfred},
biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/27f767bb4f9ff5e051139d9fef39be6af/staat},
doi = {10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.03.023},
interhash = {7d4d8732edbd5435b8daef1f848b2900},
intrahash = {7f767bb4f9ff5e051139d9fef39be6af},
issn = {00219290},
journal = {Journal of Biomechanics},
keywords = {Computer aerodynamics,Winter control,Ski flying,Sport simulation,Optimal sports},
month = may,
pages = {190--193},
pmid = {30940358},
timestamp = {2019-12-23T09:34:32.000+0100},
title = {{Optimization of the flight technique in ski jumping: The influence of wind}},
url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0021929019302015 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30940358},
volume = 88,
year = 2019
}