Engineering those Olympic gold medals

An article in The New York Times references a Wired magazine article that discusses the work of Michael S. Holden, who heads the Calspan-University of Buffalo Research Center, on how to reduce drag on skiers, speed skaters and the athletes competing in sledding events. It quotes the writer of the article: "He has contributed to seven U.S. gold medals, donating time that would otherwise cost $1,000 an hour at the facility," writes Geoffrey Gagnon. "Two decades of work have rendered him the de facto Team USA physicist." Holden also is quoted about a group of Olympians he has worked with, saying "if they can't ski, they still end up in the trees -- just a little faster." Go to article.