Editorial illustration for US and Germany use data to map bobsled tracks and fix performance gaps
AI Transforms Olympic Speedskating Performance Tactics
US and Germany use data to map bobsled tracks and fix performance gaps
The margin between Olympic gold and fourth place is a wobble. A bump. A shove.
Physics decides the podium. Now, a data dashboard does, too. Ahead of the recent Games, the U.S.
Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation paid Snowflake to run artificial intelligence on every run. The system dissects the explosive push start and the chaotic jump into the sled. It identifies which specific athlete pairings generate the most power.
Coaches get a precise map. It shows where speed bleeds away on the ice.
The US and Germany are also ahead of the curve when it comes to their focus on leveraging data to help athletes map their tracks and remedy weaknesses in their performance. Prior to this year's Games, the US Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation partnered with a company called Snowflake to leverage the company's AI tools to analyze data and make changes to bobbers' movements on the track. Snowflake's AI allowed coaches to identify which push pairings worked best for two- and four-person crews. It also analyzed performance inefficiencies with a focus on any bumping between athletes during the jump phase--the moment in which team members board the bobsled after the push.
Brute force remains essential. The AI just annotates it. Snowflake’s system spots the costly, messy collisions coaches can miss in the blur of a trial. It renders a four-man sprint as a clean diagram of force vectors. Germany’s team employs similar tech. While the rest of the field drives by instinct, these two squads navigate by signal. The ice is the same for everyone. The way you see it is not.
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Common Questions Answered
How is the Slippery Fish AI app helping U.S. speedskaters improve their performance?
The Slippery Fish app allows coaches to upload images of athletes on the ice and create digital avatars to simulate how different postures affect airflow and drag. This technology enables the team to quickly test and validate potential position changes that previously would have taken weeks to assess, essentially creating a 'wind tunnel in your pocket' for speedskating aerodynamics.
What AI partnership did USA Bobsled/Skeleton recently establish?
USA Bobsled/Skeleton partnered with Snowflake, an AI data cloud company, to leverage advanced data intelligence for performance optimization. The partnership aims to use AI to support athletes, optimize sled technology, and enhance strategic decision-making by analyzing push combinations and deconstructing start motions with sophisticated data analytics.
How has AI changed the traditional approach to gathering aerodynamic data in speedskating?
Previously, athletes would have to fly across the country to wind tunnels and maintain static positions to gather aerodynamic data, which was time-consuming and expensive. With the new AI-powered Slippery Fish app, coaches can now upload images and quickly simulate different postures, reducing the process from weeks to just a single day of analysis and validation.
Further Reading
- Honda Documentary Offers Behind-the-Scenes Look at Innovative Partnership with USA Bobsled/Skeleton During Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 — PR Newswire
- Greater safety in bobsleigh: ducking your head and holding on tight ... — Allianz
- 2026 Winter Olympics live updates: Mikaela Shiffrin aims for a return ... — NBC Olympics
