Drag, as we know, is a

form of friction caused

by an object, in this case

the supersled rubbing

against and pushing

aside air particles.

To combat this air

resistance the supersled

fairing needs to be a

smooth, streamlined

shape – even polishing it

will help it to slip through

the air more easily.

Drag

Friction between the snow

and the base of the skis

creates heat that melts

a very thin layer of snow

under the skis. This creates

a thin layer of water that

provides the lubrication

needed to allow the skis to

slide on the snow. Once the

skis have passed over this

thin water layer the snow

re-freezes.