ChasingBlueSky 0 #1 February 7, 2004 Found this one in the news today: http://www.readthehook.com/stories/2004/02/05/strangeButTrueHeavyManNoth.html Q. In a race to the bottom, could a downhill skier get up more speed than a skydiver? J. Hingeley A. Depends on the skier and the diver. Top skiers average over 60 mi/hour on a downhill run, peaking at near 90 mi/hour (145 km/hr), says Peter J. Brancazio in Sport Science: Physical Laws and Optimum Performance. That's mighty fast, a victory of right clothing, well-engineered equipment and proper stance to minimize aerodynamic drag like a cyclist or jockey. Here's where the skier's "egg position" comes in-- tested in wind tunnels long ago-- a deep, compact crouch with thighs and upper body parallel to the ground, elbows tucked inside the knees, hands near the chin. But in skydiving, the participant tries at times to increase air resistance. After jumping, the diver falls faster and faster for several thousand feet until reaching terminal velocity-- at 100 to 200 mph (160-320 km/hr) or even higher, says Brancazio. A head-first "nose dive" minimizes frontal area and drag; to slow, the skydiver adopts a horizontal spread-eagle posture, arms and legs extended. Yet even the dallying skydiver at around 100 mph probably beats the downhill skier but not the speed skier, equipped with special streamlined helmet on an ultrasteep course at high altitudes to further reduce air resistance. Tucked into position and presenting barely half the air resistance area of someone standing, the speed-skier has been known to top 155 mph, beating the elusive 250 km/hr mark and outpacing many skydivers, but not those in a hurry._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerry81 10 #2 February 7, 2004 155mph? I can do that sitting on my ass! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #3 February 7, 2004 Quote the speed-skier has been known to top 155 mph As he went off the side of the mountain and into freefall ...____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #4 February 7, 2004 Even I can top 200mph head down. Craig Poxon are you out there?... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jib 0 #5 February 7, 2004 I can get close flat flying! -------------------------------------------------- the depth of his depravity sickens me. -- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #6 February 7, 2004 Comparing the fastest downhill skiiers to the average belly-flying skydiver is like comparing a Geo Metro that's been retrofitted with a rocket engine to your run-of-the-mill Ferrari driven by my grandmother.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lolliUK 0 #7 February 7, 2004 yeah, but like , er isn't skiing just like dangerous- who would be crazy enough to go down a mountain on a couple of sticks at 100mph - doh!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Staso 0 #8 February 8, 2004 funny, that majority of speed skydivers use Jonathon and Fletcher's (spl?) speed skiing suits. and yes, the comparison should be between speed skiers and speed skydivers. if there is a speed skier out there, i can challenge you :) stan. -- it's not about defying gravity; it's how hard you can abuse it. speed skydiving it is ... Speed Skydiving Forum Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #9 February 8, 2004 Lesseee.... Speed skiers try really, really hard to go 120 mph. I try really, really hard to go less than 120 mph. I dunno. Does effort count? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottjaco 0 #10 February 8, 2004 QuoteTop skiers average over 60 mi/hour on a downhill run, peaking at near 90 mi/hour (145 km/hr) Keep in mind that 90mph skiing is not vertical (straight down) speed. As far as actual altitude loss per second, skydiver win without even trying. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #11 February 8, 2004 Hey - I don't support/believe this article....I can top 150 just on my belly. I just wanted to pass on something I thought a few of us would get a kick out of reading it._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
