Ontario Tech’s ACE pushing Canada’s high-performance athletes to the next level

On January 25, Canadian skiers James Crawford and Cameron Alexander made history at the challenging Streif downhill race in Kitzbuhel, Austria, with Crawford winning gold, and teammate Cameron Alexander securing bronze. What many don’t know is that Ontario Tech University’s ACE Core Research and Development facility played a pivotal pre-season role in their success.

ACE, renowned for its capacity to put automotive, architectural and aerospace products through the ultimate structural and engineering tests, has extended its expertise to high-performance sports, including downhill skiing, speed skating, bobsleigh, and more. Its Climatic Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel, capable of simulating customized climatic conditions like temperature and wind, was instrumental in helping members of the Alpine Canada team refine their skills.  

Almost a decade ago, ACE partnered with an apparel company to develop high-performance ski gear, leading to its collaboration with Olympic-level teams like Alpine Canada, the national governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski-cross racing.

Through these advanced simulations, coaches can guide athletes to make precise adjustments to optimize their positioning and aerodynamic efficiency. ACE’s personalized, scientifically backed approach has made it a crucial resource for high-performance sports, helping athletes achieve faster times and podium finishes, including the recent success of the Canadian men’s alpine team in Austria.

Quotes

"The expertise and service at the wind tunnel have been invaluable to myself and the athletes. Our athletes are having personal best seasons in downhill, a culmination of all the great training, support and preparation they’ve had over the years. With partners like ACE, we can find the last few percent to compete with the world’s best in a consistent way. The athletes have increased their self-awareness to look for the aero in the moment where others do not, in the air, in transition, in the steep, it’s really awesome to watch and I can see the benefits of the time spent at ACE."
-Chris Powers, Assistant Coach (Speed), Men’s Team, Alpine Canada

“I am incredibly proud of the Alpine Ski team for their outstanding accomplishments this season. It is an honour for the Ontario Tech ACE Core Research Facility to have a supporting role in their success. We look forward to continuing to help them and other Olympic-level teams and athletes go harder, faster and higher.”
-John Komar, ACE Executive Director, Ontario Tech University

Media contact
Bryan Oliver
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
289.928.3653
bryan.oliver@ontariotechu.ca