U.S. Speed Skating Failures May Be Under Armour's Fault
By Ty Duffy
U.S. speed skating switched to fancy Under Armour uniforms before the 2014 Olympics. No American wearing them has finished higher than seventh, including Shani Davis and Heather Richardson who were 1,000m favorites. According to the WSJ, the suits may be creating drag inadvertently.
"According to three people familiar with the U.S. team, these suits—which were designed by apparel sponsor Under Armour and billed before the Games as a major advantage—have a design flaw that may be slowing the skaters down. These people said that vents on back of the suit, designed to allow heat to escape, are allowing air to enter the suit and create drag that keeps the skaters from staying in the “low” position they need to achieve maximum speed. One skater said team members felt they were fighting the suit to maintain correct form."
Notre Dame fans now have a built in excuse for finishing 8-4 next season.
[USA Today Sports]