[Eleven-Cities skating marathon and the windchill factor]

Area of Science:

• Meteorology and Climatology
• Sports Science
• Human Physiology

Context:

• The 15th Eleven Cities ice skating marathon, a 200 km event in Friesland, Netherlands, occurred on January 4, 1997.
• Actual weather conditions were more favorable than initially forecasted.
• The study evaluates the windchill factor experienced by participants versus spectators.

Purpose:

• To compare the effectiveness of the Steadman scale versus the Siple and Passel scale for measuring windchill.
• To determine the difference in windchill experienced by ice skaters and spectators during the marathon.
• To analyze the impact of drag effect on perceived temperature for athletes.

Summary:

• The Steadman scale is recommended over the Siple and Passel scale for accurate windchill measurement in marathon conditions.
• Ice skaters experienced a significantly lower windchill factor compared to spectators.
• This difference is primarily attributed to the aerodynamic drag effect experienced by skaters at speed.

Impact:

• Provides a more accurate method for assessing environmental conditions in endurance sporting events.
• Highlights the importance of considering athlete-specific factors (like drag) in thermal comfort research.
• Informs future event planning and athlete preparation by quantifying the impact of weather on performance and comfort.