British skeleton suits create controversy at Winter Olympics

Martin Rogers | USA TODAY

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PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — An unlikely trans-Atlantic ruckus has erupted at the Winter Olympic skeleton track, with American former world champion Katie Uhlaender questioning the legality of Great Britain’s race suits.

The British women’s squad contains two of the favorites for the competition in Laura Deas and reigning Olympic champion Lizzy Yarnold, with the competition due to begin on Friday morning.

The Brits wear special skinsuits manufactured by British design company TotalSim and feature drag-resistant ridges that improve aerodynamics.

But that has created a gray area in regards to the official rulebook.

Skeleton’s formal regulations state, under section 10.16.3, that “No aerodynamic elements whatsoever may be attached either outside or under the race suit.”

“The rules state that everyone is supposed to have access to the same equipment as far as helmets and speed suits go, and not have any aerodynamic attachments on the helmet or in the suit,” Uhlaender, from Vail, Colo., said. “I’m not a scientist, I just know that I was trying to get a suit of the same quality, and I was told that it was illegal, and now it’s legal.”

The British suits have been ratified by skeleton chiefs after the British team’s lawyer spoke with the authorities to ensure no rules were violated.

Mark Adams of the IOC acknowledged the controversy said in a Thursday news conference but pointed to the decision made by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation.

The equipment uses polyurethane derivatives and athletes have a 3D laser scan of their entire body before the suits are made, to ensure a perfect fit and cut wind resistance.

TotalSim, the company involved, is best known for its work with the Great Britain track cycling team in the Summer Olympics.

“We are always thinking where can we gain margins,” Britain’s 2010 skeleton champion Amy Williams told the BBC. “There are very strict rule-books though. They are the same for every country so I have no worries whatsoever. People just don't want you winning do they?

“At every Olympics everyone tries to think out of the box to gain a competitive advantage, but in reality I don't think the innovations make that much difference.”