Anyone knows why on Monza in order to decrease air resistance the pacers were in a triangle shape, while in Vienna they changed it to an upside down triangle shape? They explained us in Monza that after many experiments and scientific blah blah the best shape is a triangle. Suddenly in Vienna they turn that triangle 180 degrees. The Monza shape makes more sense. The Vienna shape actually seems to do the exact opposite
a triangle rotated 180* is still a triangle, it seems if there original position was that the 'best shape is a triangle', a rotated triangle is still in fact.... a triangle
Watch the event. Commentators talk about it and say this actually better protects Kipchoge from wind.
Vienna formation was more of a peloton block with pacers in front and back of kipchoge. This formation maximized aerodynamic shelter to kipchoge. I also think formation made it easier to see Kipchoge on tv during race.
It seems to me that Vienna shape could act like a boat tail and the pacers following might be the key to creating a sort of bow wave to surf on.
They are going so slowly that the aerodynamics from any shape are basically the same.
Doesn’t matter what formation they ran in, all that matters is that they make the air behind them turbulent. If they ran in a random pack or single file it would be the same it literally doesn’t matter.
The arrowhead formation would create minimum drag for the group as a whole as the wake would be relatively linear. This would improve the conditions for the pacers as well as Kipchoge. The reverse V formation creates a much larger drag for the group as a whole as well as a more turbulent wake with reverse flow regions. This will not benefit the pacers as they will be the ones creating this larger wake. However, it could benefit Kipchoge if he is running in a sweet spot with a reverse eddy around him. In effect he could be benefiting from a tail wind.
In summary, with the reverse V formation the pacers have to do more work, Kipchoge does less.
Interesting and plausible idea, Raddison. Was the TV commentary admitting this?
sit and kick wrote:
a triangle rotated 180* is still a triangle, it seems if there original position was that the 'best shape is a triangle', a rotated triangle is still in fact.... a triangle
It’s so interesting how many autistic types are attracted to this message board.
Based on the formation they actually used it actually gave a thrust behind Kipchoge for the race. With a tailwind he’s able to benefit, into the minor headwind it acts like a tailwind to a minimal degree. The extra cost he saves is about 7-8% based on the running speed.
Easy to forget that nike breaking 2 was for 3 athletes because only kipchoge was close in the end. The normal V was the best they could do to protect the pack of 3. And the reverse V was found to be better for a solo runner, so that was used for the ineos 1:59.