Owlkids

THE WORLD OF EXTREME WINTER SPORTS What if instead of sipping hot chocolate this winter, you ran a marathon in the snow or set sail on ice-cold water? Put on your parka. It's chilly out there! SLIPPERY SCIENCE Why do we slip and slide when we walk on ice? It's because ice has a very thin layer of water on the surface, even at temperatures far below zero. How does this layer form? Turns out, the answer to that question is a bit … slippery! Scientists are still researching exactly how this happens. Move Like the Wind EVENTS: Ice Yachting and Ice Surfing Smooth sailing ahead! Ice yachts and ice surf boards are similar to the water-based versions. They both use large sails to catch the wind and move the craft forward. But unlike water vessels, ice boats and boards have runners underneath. Similar to skis or blades, runners keep the hull or board balanced while touching as little of the ice's surface as possible. The ultra-smooth, slippery surface of ice causes way less friction (when two objects rub against each other) than the ground—or even water. That's why ice yachting and ice surfing feature speeds that are unheard of for sailors or windsurfers on open water. An ice yacht can reach 145 km/h (90 mph) or more. That's faster than a speeding car on the highway, and over twice as fast as a yacht in the America's Cup, the world's most prestigious sailing race. TAKING IT TO THE L I M I T! 12 OWL December 2024 Insider Ice yachts and ice surfboards use big sails to catch the wind and move at top speeds across the ice. Insider

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