The largest property developer in Hong Kong donated HK$6 million in 2019 to the Sports Aerodynamics Science Initiative Project, jointly launched by the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
Over the past two years, the HKSI and HKUST teams actively conducted cycling tests and resistance tests for cyclists, as well as developing low-resistance suits for the Hong Kong Cycling Team, to help enhance their performances in the Tokyo Olympics.
Various high-ranking leaders within HKUST and HKSI attended the press conference to share the updates of the Project.
The Director of Elite Training Science and Technology of the HKSI; Vice-chairman of The Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China Limited and an elite cycling athlete also attended to show their support of the Project.
The Executive Director of the property developer stated, “The initiative has been ongoing for two years, in two major directions: First, as we all know, winning or losing in a cycling race comes down to a difference of split seconds.”
He noted that, thus, one area is the research and development of equipment that reduces wind drag or improves riding posture, to enable the Hong Kong Team to shave precious seconds off record time, increasing their speed and chances of winning.
Second, to help Hong Kong become an international innovation and technology hub by integrating technology into sports and accelerating innovation in sports science.
In addition to helping the Hong Kong team, the hope is to cooperate with the National team in the future. While the Tokyo Olympics have been delayed until this July, the team’s motivation has remained unfettered over the past two years. They have been successfully developing techniques and technology that reduce wind drag in different ways.
The Dean of Engineering expressed his gratitude for the support they are receiving from the property developer in setting up the Sports Aerodynamics Science Initiative Project in 2019, in collaboration with the HKSI, allowing their state-of-the-art research to make an impact in the global arena.
The team applies technology in Formula One racing cars and aerospace engineering to improve the cyclists’ performance in competitions. The joint efforts mark a major step forward to integrate research and innovation.
It was noted that the application of sports science has become a must-do for all sports powerhouse if they want to stay at the forefront in today’s sporting world. Over the last two years, the Project has conducted a series of tests for the cycling team to fortify the elite training outcomes, thus enhancing their competitiveness in international competitions. The application of sports aerodynamics technology can also benefit sports other than cycling, the Project is kicking off cooperation with the windsurfing team recently.
The Project is a joint effort by the Director of Elite Training Science and Technology of the HKSI, Dr. Raymond So’s sports science team and Chair Professor of Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering of HKUST, Prof. Zhang Xin’s team.
Prof. Zhang said the University is happy to contribute to Hong Kong’s sporting arena with technology. Through HKUST’s cooperation with HKSI over the past two years, they have conducted various tests and development for the cycling team in terms of cycling equipment, clothing, and posture, through wind tunnel tests and numerical simulations.
The team will continue to work closely with the HKSI in the future to apply more research output in competitions and apply the technology to other sports. In addition to the research on improving the postures of cyclists through sports aerodynamics technology, the HKSI and HKUST will continue their effort to research on low resistant gears to help enhance athletes’ performance.
