‘Pro Sports’ Articles
Written by Peter Suciu on 06 April 2011
While Americans may know British autos such as Mini Cooper (now owned by Germany’s BMW), Land Rover and Rolls Royce, most probably don’t know Orange Bikes. Over the years I’ve spent enough time in the UK to know and appreciate the company’s dedication to unique hand built bicycles.
Orange has not made much – if any – impact in the United States and that’s a shame. So it is unlikely that any Yanks will be among those riding the (very) limited edition Five Pro Blackout. With only 25 reportedly being made, the Blackout is a true black beauty that might just seem mythical – even in the UK, most riders will probably never see on. The bike will come outfitted with Hope Tech X2 components, with an option to upgrade to Hope Tech M4 SE. Neither option will come cheap, and the bike will reportedly retail for around $4900.
But more importantly, will the bike make its appearance on this side of the Pond? Only if someone here is very lucky.
[Via Bike Rumor: ORANGE BIKES (VERY) LIMITED EDITION FIVE PRO BLACKOUT]
Orange Mountain Bikes Official Website
Tags: Blackout, Five Pro Blackout, Hope Tech M4 SE, Hope Tech X2, Orange
Posted in Cycling, Outdoors, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 30 March 2011
While no one wants it to rain on game day, too much sun can be a real pain – and actually a health hazard for those in the stands. There are indoor stadiums of course, but that’s not the same. And even retractable roofs don’t always shield everyone away from the glare of the sun’s rays.
This is no doubt a concern for the 2022 World Cup games that will be played in Qatar, where extreme summer heat is something that can’t be easily beat(en). The solution, according to The Daily Mail is a cloud. We’ve heard of the digital cloud – as in online hosting of digital data – but this is actually an artificial cloud. And least you fear that this is some of gaseous creation, it is actually lightweight carbon structures carrying a giant envelope of material containing helium gas. In other words, large balloon like objects. So maybe a retractable roof would be the better idea?
However, because of the region has so much sun, organizers are looking to power the artificial clouds via solar power, as well as the air conditioning in the stadium. Hopefully as this will let spectators beat the heat.
[Via The Daily Mail: Pie in the sky! Qatar invents artificial clouds to beat the heat at 2022 World Cup]
Tags: 2022 World Cup, artificial cloud, Cloud, football, Qatar, Soccer, World Cup
Posted in concept, Outdoors, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 22 March 2011
Two-way radio technology has become a major part of sports, but some governing bodies are looking to ban their use. This is most notable in professional cycling where a number of teams have threatened to boycott this falls Tour of Beijing cycling race unless the International Cycling Union (UCI) withdraws its ban on the radios.
Race organizers have tried to institute bans in major classics, such as last year’s Tour de France, but Beijing could be the real showdown as it is the only event in professional cycling that the UCI actually governs and promotes directly. As expected the teams are not taking this lightly. The professional cycling association, known as AIGCP (Association International des Groupes Cyclistes Professionels) could pull out of the Chinese event. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: AIGCP, Association International des Groupes Cyclistes Professionels, Cycling, professional cycling, race radios, UCI
Posted in Cycling, Gadget, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 17 March 2011
Can Nike do for golf balls what it did for athletic shoes? No doubt that is what the company is looking to it, as it unveiled its new 20XI premium golf ball franchise. And yes, there even a “swoosh” adorned on the side, but from the outside these new balls otherwise look just like every other golf ball.
What makes these balls stand out is what out is that these feature innovative golf ball technology that will reportedly dramatically enhance the performance of golfers around the world and, at the same time, propel golf ball manufacturing into an entirely new level of innovation. Those are big claims, but again this is coming a company that has delivered on its past bold statements.
The Nike 20XI golf ball features a combination of proprietary technology that has actually never before been seen in the golf industry, and more importantly is the result of four years of collaborative research and development between Nike Golf’s golf ball engineers and a team of material and science experts at DuPont. Together they went to the core of creating a golf ball, as in the actual core and opted to bounce out the old conventional rubber core with a radically new resin material. Rubber has been the traditional core for years, so the switch to resin is quite a big deal. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 20XI, 20XI-S, 20XI-X, DuPont, Francesco Molinari, golf, golf balls, Nike Golf, Stewart Cink
Posted in Equipment, Outdoors, Pro Sports, Research | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 17 March 2011
This week there was something truly “epic” in the world of tennis technology, or rather it sounded epic as it came from Epic Sports International, global licensee for Boris Becker Tennis and Volkl Tennis. The company has announced the release of its Organix racquet technology.
Does this involve some sort of “unobtainium” or other super space-age composites? Actually it is nothing so complex nor does it involve heading to another planet to obtain the material. Instead it is base cellulose as a base material, but has been utilized with carbon nano tubes, making for racquet that provides improved sensation and power for all levels of tennis players. The Organix technology is now available in five racquet types, which were developed by Volkl, along with Munich-based Frauhofer Institute. The result is that three technologies are incorporated into the racquets, and include the Bio Sensor Handle System, Organix and Optispot. Bio Sensor Handle System offers dynamic dampening to minimize shuddering by 15 percent, while the Organix is used for enhancing vibrant power by 30 percent and it is a combination of organic cellulose substances and DNX carbon nano tubes. Finally, the Optispot offers players the capability to strike 40 percent additional balls in the sweet spot.
“Organix is the next generation technology platform which gives Völkl customers a comprehensive, highly technical and superior performing racquet to fully connect the players’ mind, body and racquet,” said Brian Dillman, vice president and general manager of Epic Sports International. “We look forward to another year of fast growth and high-level consumer visibility with Völkl on track to be the fastest-growing tennis brand worldwide.”
We’ll leave that to the court – the tennis court to decide.
Volkl Official Website
Tags: Boris Becker Tennis, Brian Dillman, Epic Sports, Organix, racquet, Tennis, Volkl
Posted in Equipment, Pro Sports, Research | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 14 March 2011
What defines a bicycle? Let’s see, two wheels, seat, chain, pedals, frame, fork? Actually that might describe the parts on a bicycle, but it doesn’t mean those parts will be legal when it comes to international racing. This week our friends at BikeRadar UK noted that the UCI (International Cycling Union) have published its latest list of new items that a “legal” for racing this season. The two lists show which frames, forks and wheels have been authorized for road, track and cyclo-cross competition under the latest approval protocol.
So how important is this list? Well, so far five new frames (as well as their respective forks) have been approved, but one has reportedly met the criteria but not been added to the list. This is important to note as race bikes tend to go into production just after the first of the year, and must be submitted for testing. Consider that as we head to the second half of March that means bikes could already have been in production for nearly three months – and if not passed, they aren’t legal for any UCI sanctioned race! While this shouldn’t be an issue for the Scott Plasma 3 – the bike that is pending at press time – we can imagine it is a concern over at the bike manufacturer’s offices.
List of Approved UCI Frames and Forks
List of Non-Standard Wheels in Conformity
Tags: Cycling, cyclo-cross, International Cycling Union, Road, road bike, track, Track Bike, UCI
Posted in Cycling, Equipment, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 01 March 2011
Debates over natural versus artificial turf continue. Where artificial wins, actually, is when it comes to being green. The Synthetic Turf Council announced that as of this year the estimated total amount of synthetic turf installed in North America conserves more than three billion gallons of water, significantly reduces smog emissions, eliminates close to a billion pounds of harmful fertilizers and pesticides, and recycles more than 105 million used tires.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: artificial turf, pro-football turf, recycled tires, rubber infill, running tracks
Posted in Pro Sports, Running, Sustainable | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 25 February 2011
Hopefuls for the NFL will feel a lot of things, and will likely be under pressure – but to help them, they’ll soon be able to be Under Armour today, as the company announced this week that the E39 shirt, powered by Zephyr Technology, will be used in the NFL Scouting Combine.
“When we decided to create the E39 biometric compression shirt for some of the most talented athletes in the world to wear on one of the most important days of their lives,” says Kevin Haley, Senior Vice President, Innovation, Under Armour. “We were thrilled to partner with Zephyr because the technology has already been proven on the most demanding consumer of all — the U.S. Special Forces.”
Zephyr’s Physiological Status Monitor (PSM) technology is used by U.S. Special Forces, first responders, and consumers in the Connected Health arena to monitor vital sign information within the context of activity. The NFL Scouting Combine promises to be the perfect environment for the Zephyr to prove it can make the grade for these athletes. With this “under wear” these athletes will be anything but under dogs in the coming scouting Combine.
Zephyr Technology Official Website
Tags: E39, Kevin Haley, NFL Scouting Combine, Zephyr Technology, Zephyr's Physiological Status Monitor
Posted in Equipment, Pro Sports, Research | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 21 February 2011
When you mention Cricket to most Americans, we think of the noisy insect – the one that was friends with the wooden kid that came to life – or we think of the British game where everyone wears the white pants and sweaters. What could possibly be high-tech about that, right?
Well, think again. Reebok has done many things for running, football and basketball, so why wouldn’t the company do something for the game of cricket. In fact, Reebok is actually one of the leading sportswear brands that, along with the International Cricket Council, has helped energize the game with some technical innovations for the team from India. This includes the futuristic Reebok ZigTech Bats, footwear and trainers. Just in time for the Cricket World Cup 2011 this year, Reebok has outfitted the Indian cricket team with “Zig-Sonic” equipped gear that helps reduce wear and tear in the leg muscles during training. Reebok’s ZigTech shoes have been called “engery drinks for your feet,” and now it seems like the drink is available in a curry flavor. This same zig is being incorporated into the “on field” shoes, which have also been designed to meet the needs of the individual player’s patterns and foot movements. The game has clearly come a long way from simple white sweaters and wooden bats.
Tags: bat, cricket, Reebok, Shoes, World Cup, ZigTech
Posted in Equipment, Footwear, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 10 February 2011
Back in 2007 the Tour de France started things off in London – sort of a “Tale of Two Cities” theme going on – with the prolog as well as the first stage heading from the Mall. Now the Mall will be center stage again for cycling as start of the men’s and women’s 2012 Olympic cycling road race, which see the finish in front of Buckingham Palace.
Our friends at BikeRadar.com reported this week that the riders will likely be a figure-eight course that will take them out of London to the southwest and then back to the city. The reported men’s race will cover 265km, whilst the women’s race will be over 140km. The mostly flat terrain around London, and especially the final stretch, will prove to make a day for the sprinters, suggesting that Mark Cavendish could feel like a king for a day as he goes for the gold.
[Via BikeRadar.com: London 2012 Olympics road race route details emerge]
Tags: 2012 Olympics, Buckingham Palace, Cycling, London, Mark Cavendish, Tale of Two Cities, The Mall, Tour de France
Posted in Cycling, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 04 February 2011
This week the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) made known its protocols for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California taking place May 15 to 22. The new guidelines are based on previous anti-doping procedures, and expand on the elements with their frequency and rigor.
In the 90 days prior to the race beginning February 15, all race participants will be subject to no-advance notice sample collections. International riders will be subject to the same no-advance notice, out-of-competition testing. During the competition the race organizers in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code in-competition criteria will conduct testing. This includes daily doping controls following a strategic test distribution plan. Samples will be screened for substances and methods used on the WADA Prohibited List such as steroids, hormones, stimulants and various masking agents. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: AMGEN Tour of California, Anti-Doping, Cycling, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, USADA
Posted in Cycling, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 26 January 2011
We received a press release this week for the National Bike Summit 2011, and our first thought was, “wow, look at all the corporate and group logos.” There were quite a few and this included League of American Bicyclists, Bikes Belong Coalition, Planet Bike, National Bicycle Dealers Association, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Safe Routes: National Center for Safe Routes to School, Alliance for Biking & Walking, Saris Cycling Group, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Interbike, AAA, My Bike Law, Cycling Mobility, FTA, Bicycle Times, Toue de Cure, Dero Bike Racks, CycleSafe Secure Bicycle Parking, Adventure Cycling, Toole Design Group, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, Rails to Trails Conservancy, QBP, Cat Eye, RBA, The National Center for Bicycling and Walking, Alta Planning & Design and Polar.
What does this really mean? To us, it actually means that the future should be looking very good for those who like to ride bikes. There is always power in numbers, and the coming together of so many cycling groups, companies that make cycling products and even a few groups like AAA in the mix that the power for pedaling should be in full gear.
We’ll be sure to report on the latest news from the National Bike Summit when it takes place in March.
Tags: Alliance for Biking & Walking, Bikes Belong Coalition, International Mountain Bicycling Association, League of American Bicyclists, National Bicycle Dealers Association, National Bike Summit, Planet Bike, Safe Routes: National Center for Safe Routes to School
Posted in Cycling, Low Tech, Pro Sports, Research | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 12 January 2011
Whilst not everyone can become a master of the fairways and dominate the greens, every golfer can probably improve their technique and with it their overall game. That’s the idea behind SHOT Master, an interactive golf guide and e-tutorial that helps golfers improve their skill. It features carefully organized and detailed game improvement tips and easy-to-follow videos that can be conveniently used wherever the golfer goes.
SHOT Master is the brain child of independent developers Charles Casteel, Jr. and Charles Casteel, Sr., an Information Technology expert, and professional golfer and golf instructor Willie Roberson. SHOT Master specializes in those rough shots, such as being stuck behind a tree in the rough or trapped in a bunker. It is a great tool as a golfer finding themselves in these “rough” situations can simply take out their iPod touch or iPhone and find out in a nice detailed tutorial how to get the best shot from where they are stuck.
“We are pleased to fill a void for the avid golfer to get help in real time. We know there are some very difficult golf shot and we wanted to create a coach that can be with the golfer at all times”, said Charles Casteel, Sr., SHOT Master part-owner and developer. “Golfers all over the world can improve their game by mastering some of golf’s most changeling shots by using our Golf App while on the golf course from the convenience of their iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.” Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: App, Apple, Charles Casteel, golf, Golf App, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Jr, Mobile Phone, SHOT Master, Sr., Willie Roberson
Posted in Mobile Phone, Pro Sports, Software | No Comments »
