Sochi | Evolving Consumer

Weekend Reading List (03.15.2014): Park Run, Camel Down, Samsung Gets Moving

Park Run

From Runner’s World: When Can I Run In The Park?
When Peter Shankman was cited by the New York City police for breaking curfew by running in Central Park at 4:27 a.m. on a Thursday in late February, it was an eye opener: So Central Park has operating hours? And, in a city known for banning trans fat and trying to limit soda sizes, they’re actually enforced against a grown man jogging for recreation? Yes and yes. Anyone who enters Central Park between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. runs the risk of being issued a citation for “unlawfully in park after hours,” as this offense, PRR 1-03(a), is officially called. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (03.15.2014): Park Run, Camel Down, Samsung Gets Moving

The Cost of the Olympics (And Other Facts)

The flame of the Winter Olympic Games has been extinguished. The final costs for the games in Sochi Russia might not be known, but it was a reported $51 billion or more than the previous 21 Winter Olympics combined. GearJunkie compiled some interesting facts, and among those the games cost roughly $18 million per athlete!

Check out the other interesting facts!

[Via GearJunkie: Sochi Cost $18 Million Per Athlete and 34 Other Fascinating Olympic Facts]

Under Armour Rearmed With U.S. Speedskating

Despite an underwhelming performance at last the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, the U.S. Speedskating team isn’t putting the blame on “suitgate.” The company has signed a deal to provide the U.S. team with uniforms through 2022.

This was the first U.S. medal shutout since 1984. Beyond the talk that perhaps it was the uniforms were the culprit for the poor showing, training strategy and funding woes were noted. Back to the drawing board and back to the training.

[Via ESPN: U.S. sticks with Under Armour]

Weekend Reading List (02.22.2014): Olympic Tech, Flu Recovery, Curling Tech

Olympic Tech

httpv://youtu.be/lZvJ49gJ9Tw

From Sport Techie: Three Technologies that Have Helped Define the 2014 Sochi Olympics Continue reading Weekend Reading List (02.22.2014): Olympic Tech, Flu Recovery, Curling Tech

The Painted Edge

Much is being made about the technology that is helping the U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation at this year’s Winter Olympic Games in Sochi Russia. The BMW designed sleds have also gotten a boost from the paint!

The national teams are using AERAO Advanced Paint Technology, a film-based paint currently in use on high-performance professional racecars and commercial jetliners, and it is being employed on all team competition vehicles – including the two-man bobsleds.

AERO is a disruptive, green technology paint applique system, created and applied without solvents or sprayers, eliminating the fumes and environmental impact of harsh chemicals.

“In our sport, every hundredth of a second counts,” said USBSF CEO Darrin Steele. “We went with AERO paint because it is lighter and more durable than other materials we’ve used. This allows us to shave fractions of a second over the mile-long course and provide a competitive advantage to our teams.”

AERAO Official Website
U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation Official Website

Under Performaning

The Under Armour designed speed skating uniforms were supposed to be super suits – there was already talk of a potential ban as the suits could give an unfair edge to the competitors. However, as The Wall Street Journal reported late last week – the super suits were a super dud!

Gold medal favorite Shani Davis didn’t show super speed on the ice and the paper reported that the suits may have a design flaw that could be slowing down skaters. This is the vent on the back, which is designed to allow heat to escape. Instead it is allow air to enter and is creating drag, which in turn is making it difficult for the skaters to maintain their low position.

[Via The Wall Street Journal: Under Armour Suits May Be a Factor in U.S. Speedskating’s Struggles]

Weekend Reading List (02.15.2014): Olympic Tech, Clowning Around, Pay Day, Keeping Time

Olympic Tech

From TechNewsWorld: Team USA in Sochi: High-Tech Gear Spurs High Hopes
While it takes years of training, determination and really good genes even to get a chance to compete in the Olympic Games, the difference between making the podium or not can come down to milliseconds in some events. At this year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, new advances in fabrics, materials and designs are giving the athletes an edge as they go for the gold. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (02.15.2014): Olympic Tech, Clowning Around, Pay Day, Keeping Time

Weekend Reading List (02.08.2014): Sochi Goes for the Cold, Gold Prices, Bike Crowded Miami

Sochi Goes for the Cold

From The Verge: Freezing Sochi: how Russia turned a subtropical beach into a Winter Olympics wonderland
Sochi is not the most obvious place to host the Winter Olympics.

The Russian resort, on the eastern shore of the Black Sea, is humid and subtropical. Temperatures average out at about 52 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, and 75 degrees in the summer. Palm trees line the streets, and it’s the only part of Russia warm enough to grow tea leaves. In other words, it’s a lovely spot if you’re planning a beach holiday — Stalin had his favorite summer house there — but it wouldn’t be most people’s first choice for a ski trip. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (02.08.2014): Sochi Goes for the Cold, Gold Prices, Bike Crowded Miami

Armed for Sochi

While security is tight at Sochi some American athletes will be suited up in armor – or at least Under Armour’s new speedskating uniform. For the 2014 games Under Armour partnered with Team USA and Lockheed Martin to create a skinsuit that should be a speed machine on the ice. The Mach 39 could be a game changer that helps Americans bring home the gold this year.

Under Armour Official Website

Mariachi Skier

While the U.S. Olympic Opening Ceremony uniform may not be scoring points with everyone – despite the fact that it was actually made in America – the choice of attire for Mexican skier Hubertus von Hohenlohe is another story. He unveiled his “Mariachi” motif this week and it is as remarkable as his story.

As his name suggests he is actually a descendant of German royalty but was born in Mexico. “The Prince” – as he’s known – been a staple on the slopes since he raced World Cup at age 22 in 1981, and he made his Olympic debut at Sarajevo in 1984. He’ll turn 55 on Sunday but he’s heading to Sochi next month where he’ll once again represent Mexico.

We applaud that he’s back for more, but we seriously question whether he’ll actually don that uniform on the slopes.

[Via The New York Daily News: Mexican ski racer Hubertus von Hohenlohe ready to wow at Winter Olympics in Sochi]

Made in America: Uniformity

When the U.S. Olympic team headed to London it wore uniforms made in China, but not this time. Team USA will head to Sochi, Russia in just two weeks wearing uniforms designed by fashion icon Ralph Lauren that were made in the USA. The uniforms don’t come cheap, but can we really put a price on going for the gold?

We wish our U.S. Olympic team the best luck as they head to the games. May they have safe games as well.

[Via Bleacher Reporter: Team USA Unveils Opening Ceremony Uniforms Designed by Ralph Lauren]

Winter Olympic Games: Rule Columbia

This wouldn’t have happened during the Cold War. American athletes are about to head to Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics and they’ll be heading in style in uniforms made by Columbia Sportswear. What is unique about this is that earlier this month Columbia unveiled the Ski Team uniforms for the U.S. as well as Canadian and Russian teams!

Columbia showed these off to the press in Utah, and the uniform collection included those for moguls, aerials, half-pipe, skicross and slopestyle events. Many of these uniforms will feature the compnay’s Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective technology as a base layer to help keep the athletes warm. Many across America who have been digging out in recent weeks likely wish they had such technology.

Other features reportedly include a new waterproof zipper that is bonded to the laser-cut fabric, removable pockets and even special patterns that have been dubbed “snow camouflage.” We’ll be watching for these uniforms in next month’s games.

[Via GearJunkie: U.S., Russian, Canadian Ski Team Uniforms Manufactured By Columbia Sportswear Unveiled]

Wearable Airbag for the Ski Slopes

We’ve seen inflatable airbags to help protect skiers during an avalanche but now Dainese has devised an airbag system to help protect downhill ski racers in case of a crash. The company’s new D-AIR Ski Project could even be in place by the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. This safety system features three integrated accelerometers and gyroscopes plus a GPS unit and an onboard microprocessor to detect any sudden movements.

Together this system can detect a crash and deploy the airbag to protect the rider’s neck, shoulder and collarbone and the full process can take just 45 milliseconds. Given how fast skiers travel it is clear they’d need something even faster and the D-AIR system looks like it could help skiers stay safe on those very fast slopes.

Dainese D-AIR Official Press Release