WHISTLER, Canada, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A GPS-based system has been an important tool in the daily training of Canada's Alpine skiers for the Olympics, said the Canadian team Saturday.
Alpine Canada, the national team, has used STEALTH (Sensor for the Training of Elite Athletes), a technology based on the Global Positioning System and developed by the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary.
The GPS-based device uses an antenna on the skier's helmet to transmit signals to two satellites. The data is fed to coaches and skiers to determine what improvements can be made in finding the quickest way down the mountain. It can also provide useful information about ski testing in various snow and weather conditions.
A data-recording unit inside the skiers' waist pack weighs 270 g. It records speed and location with almost automatic playback ability.
As for accuracy, the unit provides a skier's location within five cm.
Other ski teams are also looking at GPS technology. The USA started experimenting with it, mainly for ski testing. Germany used it mostly for mostly scientific research.
