The Right Equipment Can Make a Big Difference

At every Olympic games there are stories of great triumph as well as even more stories of agony and grief. Athletes win for many different reasons, but they also lose for many other reasons. Some athletes just aren’t as good as others, which has always been the case. After all, there has to be winners and losers at every Winter Games. However, sometimes, when a whole team struggles they begin to look for answers outside of their own performance.

Is It the Suits?

According to a report by CBS News, members of the U.S. speedskating team are still scratching their heads in disbelief at what has happened to them on the track at the Sochi Games. With not even one skater coming close to medaling the team has started to question whether or not the problem may lay in their suits. Designed and developed by Under Armour, the suit was supposed to be the “fastest speedskating suit in the world.” In fact, team members were so convinced that the suits would give them a huge advantage over the competition that they saved them especially for the Olympics.

Big Disappointment

Now that the results are in and the Dutch have dominated the track many people are wondering if it’s the suits to blame. In fact, the team has decided to return to the suits that it wore during the world championships. Although Under Armour reportedly used advanced 3D technology in the development of the suits, they seem to be coming up short. Technology is very important in Olympic competition, but if the gear isn’t right then it won’t matter how advanced the technology is.

Advancement That Works

We can relate to this concept at Launch Pad because we understand that almost no beginning skier will have as much success with other ski training tools as they will with our products. Our Ski Harness, Wedgease and Hookease make learning to ski much more enjoyable for both the learner and the teacher. If you are ready to learn to ski or teach someone else how to ski then give these products a try.

Source: CBS News, “U.S. speed skaters struggle: Are high-tech suits to blame?,” Feb. 14, 2014.