New research station in Åre
In the spring of 2011, via the Swedish Winter Sports Research centre, Mid Sweden University will establish a research and development field station in Åre. The facilities will be located in the new building in Sweden’s alpine national arena.
Its location is strategically perfect, “on the slopes”, next to the headquarters of the Swedish Ski Association and a stone’s throw from commerce and Åre Municipality. The Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre in Åre will complement the internationally recognised activities that have been established on Campus Östersund. Initially, research and development activities will focus on the alpine disciplines and the Paralympic alpine disciplines.
“The facilities in Åre will provide a unique environment for advanced field studies, right on the slopes. We can perform biomechanical movement analyses and technique optimisation and training on or close to the slopes,” says Professor HC Holmberg, Head of Research at the Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre.
The Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre in Åre will develop in stages, based on needs and demands. The interior will take shape in the spring of 2011, as well as the purchase of the measuring equipment, supplementing the portable equipment that can be loaned from Östersund. This environment is also a good platform for partnerships between Mid Sweden University and trade and industry. The visitor industry and other businesses will benefit from these activities, which will function as a real test arena for a range of services and equipment.
Peak Innovation is providing financing worth SEK 1.6 million for the purchase of movement analysis systems and high speed cameras. Investments are being carried out with the support of the EU’s regional development fund.
Caption: Laboratory engineer Mikael Swarén demonstrates measuring equipment on Kajsa Kling from the Swedish alpine ski team.
