High tech wind tunnel helps Hong Kong track cyclist Sarah Lee prepare for gold medal bid at the Tokyo Olympics

Advanced technology may be a key factor in helping Hong Kong’s Sarah Lee Wai-sze in her bid for gold at the Tokyo Olympics.

Under the Sports Aerodynamics Science Initiative Project, a joint venture between the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Sports Institute, a specialised wind tunnel may help discover the right combination of cycling equipment to reduce wind resistance when racing on the track.

“Only a small change will make a big difference at the highest level of competition,” said cycling head coach Shen Jinkang. “Lee will be facing tough opposition in Tokyo and the difference among all these top riders could be just a fraction of a second. A small improvement will play a big part in the final result.

“We are indeed in debt to the UST, which has set up a sophisticated wind tunnel that helped us conduct many experiments and tests over the past two years, including the development of a low-resistance jersey for our cyclists. And all these tests and experiments have now been completed with fruitful results and we can apply this set of new equipment for Lee in the Tokyo Games.”

The coach said other countries have also used a wind tunnel to conduct tests for their cyclists but the technology used by the HKUST is among the best in the region. However, he did not elaborate on the experiments that Lee and other cyclists have gone through in preparing for the Olympic Games.

“We will not let our opponents know what we have done before we show them on the track in real competitions,” said the coach. “All I can say is we are fully prepared for the Tokyo Games where we can look forward to some good results.”

Research showed that by working out the optimal combination of helmet, jersey, bike frame and tyres, it can cut wind resistance by at least four to five per cent.