CONCLUSION
 |
A mathematical and computer model has been developed to predict the time
for rowing races. Predicted times compare favourably with sectional times
of recent world championship events. As the model calculates the
hydrodynamic (viscous plus wave) drag directly from the hull offsets, it
can be used to investigate the effect of different hulls on overall
performance.
We have also identified a number of factors for which there is only scant
or outdated, published experimental data and which could be useful for
further refining the present model. These include:
- Force-time curves for high stroke rates.
- The (aerodynamic) shielding effect of the rearmost crew members by
those at the front of the boat.
- Sectional times for, say, 50 metre intervals for the first 500 metres
of first class events.
- Almost anything to do with female rowers!
Acknowledgements
Thanks to the following people for helpful discussions, lines drawings,
advice etc:
- Prof. Maurice Brearley, Victoria, Australia
- Graeme King of King Boat Works, Putney, Vermont, USA
- Assoc. Prof. Neville de Mestre, Bond University, Queensland, Australia
- Jeff Sykes and Stuart Wilson of Jeff Sykes & Associates Pty Ltd,
Victoria, Australia
- Prof. Ernie Tuck, The University of Adelaide, Australia
- and many kind inhabitants of rec.sport.rowing.