Pininfarina SpA : The world champion Simone Origone in the Pininfarina Wind Tunnel

Turin January 18, 2012 -Simone Origone, world champion of speed skiing, is the world's fastest man, also thanks to thePininfarina Wind Tunnel. In fact, in the Research Centre located at Grugliasco (Turin, Italy), Simone Origone developed the equipment with which in 2006 he brought back to Italy the world record of speed skiing. Today Origone is back in the Pininfarina Wind Tunnel to carry out a new series of aerodynamic tests on his sports equipment, with the aim to individuate the profiles ensuring the best aerodynamic performance.

In the ski, as in many other sports, the air behaviour is a very important factor. That's why Origone often comes to the Pininfarina Wind Tunnel to test the air resistance of the suit, of the helmets, of the poles, of the boots. And not only. In the Wind Tunnel, Origone tests the positions of the body, of the arms, of the hands, attaching the skis to a special scale. When the wind increases until 110 km/h and the propeller is fully operational, Origone is able to see on a display, in real time, the drag expressed in kilograms. At this point, the champion looks for the position which allows him to obtain the minor drag. Moreover, through the visualization with smoke, it is possible to double-check the type of aerodynamic flow on the skier's shoulders, on his back and on the helmet, always trying to find the best position minimizing the drag.

AtPininfarina, the combination of technology and aesthetics has always been pursued with great passion. Along the years many aerodynamic tests have been carried out in the Pininfarina Wind Tunnel: for the Formula 1, for motorcycling and for the sports equipment of world-class athletes. In the Grugliasco Research Centre, the cyclistFrancesco Moserprepared the world hour record, the climberReinhold Messnertested his high-altitude tent, the ski championIsolde Kostnertested the suit she was wearing when she got on the podium for the first time,Daniela Ceccarelliprepared herself for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games of Salt Lake City (where she was awarded with the gold medal in the Supergiant), the French skierAntoine Dénériazcarried out aerodynamic tests on his suit Anzi Besson which he was wearing in the men's downhill at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games.

Also sports equipment designed byPininfarina Extra, as thegolf clubs Mizunoand theski boots Langehave undergone tests in the Wind Tunnel. And it is worth mentioning the great success of the2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games, for which Pininfarina designed and developed theTorch, also tested in the Wind Tunnel, and theCauldron.

The Pininfarina Wind Tunnelis since 1972 a center of excellence for the research and development in the aerodynamic and aero-acoustic sector. To support the research activities, up-to-date devices and advanced measuring techniques are available. The Wind Tunnel mainly operates on 1:1 scale vehicles, in the aerodynamic and aero-acoustic sectors, but another important activity field is the one of the Wind Engineering (aerodynamic studies on buildings, industrial equipment, bridges, sunshades, …) and of the aerodynamic research in sports.

Simone Origone, born in Aosta (Italy) in 1979, entered the speed skiing Italian national team 7 years ago, obtaining great results which allowed him to be the most successful athlete in the speed skiing history or: in less than six seconds they go from 0 to 200 km/h). He holds the world's KL record with 251.40 kmh. He won 7 World's Cups (2004-2005-2006-2007-2009-2010-2011), 4 World's Fis (2005-2007-2009- 2011), 4 World's Pro (2004-2006-2008-2009) and 2 Speed Master- former world's pro (2010-2011).