High-tech fabrics for speed

Swiss knitwear specialist Eschler supplied high-tech fabrics to the manufacturers of speed suits of many national teams at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. Four different fabrics are used in one single speed-skating suit, giving each body zone a particular construction. Critical zones, specified by the International Skating Union, use extremely durable and cut-resistant fabric; tight compression material on the thighs reduces vibration and supports muscle movement; behind the knee and on the inner thigh, thin but durable fabric is used; mesh inserts guarantee improved moisture management and ventilation. The material surface has been optimized in lab and wind tunnel tests to present the best possible aerodynamic performance.

SOURCE Eschler