The KNSB developed the new suits together with TU Delft and manufacturer Sportconfex/Fila. “We are proud of the development of these suits,” says Remy de Wit, technical director of the skating association. ,,With the innovations it contains, our drivers are just one step ahead of the competition. In addition, the appearance of the suits is great, very professional and powerful.”
Since May 2019, the latest outfits have been worked on, including by conducting tests in wind tunnels. The blue color on the suits is now a lot darker than at the previous Winter Games in Pyeongchang.
The athletes received the suits on Tuesday. In the coming weeks, towards the Games, the skaters can have small things adjusted. ,,We have a few options that provide more aerodynamics, but such a suit has to be comfortable,’ says Sander van Ginkel of the KNSB.
The short trackers also have new suits. The new outfits should provide more safety. The short trackers now wear fully cut-resistant undergarments, over which they put on a rubber competition uniform.
The KNSB has received permission from the international skating association ISU and the International Olympic Committee to depict a panther heart on the left sleeve of the Olympic suits. That is a tribute to the Dutch short track star Lara van Ruijven who died in 2020.
Watch our skating videos below.
#skating #suits #give #Dutch #Winter #Games #edge #competition