Extended cooperation agreement with the Swedish Olympic Committee

Luleå University of Technology has signed an extended collaboration agreement with the Swedish Olympic Committee. The agreement extends until 2026.

The collaboration encompasses three main areas: performance technology, performance analysis, and material optimisation. Its purpose is to benefit both the operations of the Swedish Olympic Committee, particularly the national teams in biathlon and cross-country skiing, as well as the sports science research conducted at Luleå University of Technology.

"It feels fantastic to have extended the agreement and continue the close collaboration with the Swedish Olympic Committee and the national waxing teams. They are experts in skis, and we are experts in friction and snow, so we learn a great deal from each other," says Andreas Almqvist, Professor of Machine Elements.

The collaboration involves targeted research and development initiatives together with the technicians and waxing teams for cross-country skiing and biathlon, both in the field and at Luleå University of Technology. Research and development at the Snow and Ski Laboratory, in partnership with the Swedish Olympic Committee and the cross-country skiing and biathlon teams, has now been ongoing for three years, focusing on the interaction between skiers, equipment, and surfaces.

"We have gained more insight into the interaction between the skier, the equipment, and the snow, as well as developing models that describe how the ski interacts with the snow. Additionally, we have created new materials and waxes and established testing methods that can distinguish how material, structure, and wax influence glide," says Andreas Almqvist.

"The collaboration with LTU works incredibly well. In addition to excellent synergy, the partnership provides us with new knowledge, better and safer methods, and the conditions to analyse and develop our materials, particularly for two of our most successful Olympic winter sports, cross-country skiing and biathlon. With this expanded collaboration and the focus on the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games in the R&D projects, the goal is for Sweden to have the fastest skis and, thereby, excellent opportunities to win numerous Olympic medals," says Peter Reinebo, Sports Director of the Swedish Olympic Committee.