Olympic Gold Lizzy Yarnold has got it taped

Lizzy's triumph came in the skeleton – the event where athletes reach speeds of up to 140 km/hr and experience G-forces up to 5g whilst lying face down on what appears to many to be little more than a high-tech tea tray. In fact the skeleton bobs are the product of extensive university-led research and development, based around a glass-fibre reinforced plastic belly pan with a foam layer on top, a steel-framed 'saddle' and the runners which are the only part to make contact with the ice. tesa tape plays an important part in assisting the slider's grip during the critical seconds at the start where initial momentum is built before the competitor gets on to the skeleton. tesa 4651 is used on the handles of the saddle to ensure maximum initial velocity and on the belly pan, where it helps to optimize airflow. Most British sliders also apply the tape along the edges of the sled where the belly pan meets the padding. Jeremy Smith, marketing manager for tesa in the UK, says the company has been supporting the British team with product and advice for a number of years. "In this event, where medals are decided by fractions of a second, the assistance that our tape provides at the start and in the aerodynamics of the skeleton makes a real contribution to performance. We're delighted that Lizzy has won Gold and happy in the knowledge that tesa has made a contribution to her success."