5 January 2010, Buhler - In 1974 a Swiss speed skater named
Franz Krienbühl developed the first one-piece speed skating suit to optimize
the aerodynamics of his racing gear. Today, 35 years later, Switzerland is
still the home of innovative sports apparel and Swiss knit fabric specialist Eschler
has developed a range of high tech fabrics for the speed suits of various national
teams at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.
Managed by the third generation, Swiss brand Eschler has a
long and well known tradition in developing premium knitted fabrics for elite
sportswear. For the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Eschler will be supplying
brands like Nike and Descente that produce the speed skating racing gear for
the world’s leading speed skating nations. Nike engineers the suits for the US,
Dutch and South-Korean national teams, Descente for the Japanese and Canadian
squads.
Four different Eschler fabrics are used in one single speed
skating suit and each body zone is equipped with a particular construction. The
one suit system utilizes extremely durable and cut resistant fabric in critical
zones which are specified by the International Skating Union (ISU).
Eschler adds that tight compressive fabric on the thighs
reduces muscle vibration and supports muscle movement. Meanwhile, behind the
knees and on the inner thighs, thin yet durable fabric is used. Mesh inserts also
guarantee improved moisture management and ventilation. The company says that
the fabric surface has been optimized in many lab and wind tunnel tests as aerodynamics
are a crucial factor when it comes to shave off those milliseconds that
separate the gold medallist from the rest.
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