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SnowFlake
18-12-2008, 03:26 PM
Have a look at
http://www.ausport.gov.au/media/ais_news/high-tech_leap_for_snowboarding

16 Dec 2008

Scientific experts at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) are exploring exciting ways to apply the latest advances in microtechnology monitoring devices to the sport of snowboarding.

In an interview in the current issue of Sport Technology, AIS physiologist Jason Harding and Australian national snowboard coach Ben Wordsworth discuss the potential benefits of using automated scoring systems to improve the accuracy and reliability of judging half-pipe snowboarding.

The AIS first began testing the use of microtechnology monitoring systems three [check] years ago in training and development to improve and analyse the technique of snowboarders in preparation for Olympic competition.

Ben Wordsworth said the use of microtechnology monitoring devices has already proved successful in training.

‘Being able to measure air time over a half-pipe [run] is key information when you are coaching. [By using this technology], you can tell an athlete that they have had x amount of air time on run one and they have had x amount of air time on run two and this is the difference and these are the reasons why,’ Wordsworth explained.

He said this groundbreaking work in microtechnology innovation has other potential spin-offs for the sport, which could lead to breakthroughs in the development of automated scoring systems to assist the judging of snowboarding.

‘There is huge potential to adopt the use of microtechnology innovation,’ Wordsworth said.

‘The application of automated scoring systems could be the answer to capturing and assessing accurate and reliable data about key criteria of the snowboarder’s performance in competition, including the highest degrees of rotation and air time.’

Wordsworth said that the introduction of automation would not replace judges but be there to assist them.

‘This technology could make it easier for judges to score key criteria of air time and the degree of rotation of snowboarders to distinguish between the top riders,’ Wordsworth.

‘It would allow the judges to focus sharply on subjective criteria like the style, execution and the overall impression of the performance.’

SA
18-12-2008, 03:32 PM
Maybe additional proofreading would be a good idea graemlins/big_laugh.gif

BrumbyJack
18-12-2008, 04:25 PM
Where did you dig this up from?

It's been used on lots of things, freestyle skiing and mountain bikes to name a few.

I met Jason when he was first working on the project (must have been about 5 years ago) and we were going to try it out on XC as well, but the coach wasn't keen.

SnowFlake
19-12-2008, 08:31 AM
No need to be aggressive about it. A press release from AIS yesterday.

Bear
19-12-2008, 09:10 AM
Didn't see that as aggressive SF. Nice to see that this is getting to see the light of day (again ;) ). Anything that takes some of the subjective out of judging is a good thing as far as I'm concerned.

Polaris
19-12-2008, 09:19 AM
That ain't agro
You will definitely know when BJ gets agro :eek: ;) graemlins/outtahere.gif

SnowFlake
19-12-2008, 10:42 AM
Yes it is probably me being edgy going into the summer season and 'snow withdrawal syndrome'.

TC
19-12-2008, 10:55 AM
Originally posted by SA:
Maybe additional proofreading would be a good idea graemlins/big_laugh.gif you agressive pig
how dare you :D graemlins/big_laugh.gif graemlins/wow.gif

TC
19-12-2008, 10:56 AM
on a serious note; I can see this technology being adopted in many more sports than just snowboarding

[ 19.12.2008, 10:57 AM: Message edited by: TC ]