The Secret Tech Behind Team USA’s Olympic Gold Ambitions
As the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics loom, Team USA is guarding a high-tech secret designed to turn fractions of a second into podium finishes. Dubbed “Slippery Fish,” this $100,000 “digital twin” project is the latest evolution in the American quest for speedskating dominance.
While the project’s name might sound lighthearted, the response from those inside the program is anything but. When asked about the initiative, U.S. Speedskating national team coach Ryan Shimabukuro remained tight-lipped, offering a firm “no comment” to protect the competitive edge his athletes hope to wield this February.
From Wind Tunnels to Digital Twins
Historically, athletes seeking aerodynamic gains had to rely on expensive and time-consuming wind tunnel testing. Slippery Fish moves that entire process into the virtual realm.
The technology works by scanning a skater’s body to create a precise 3-D avatar. Using computational fluid dynamics, the app simulates air resistance and calculates exactly how minute adjustments—the tilt of a head, the tuck of an elbow, or the height of a shoulder—impact drag.
“You’re talking about tenths of a second per lap in a sport where we look at hundredths or thousandths,” says Shane Domer, U.S. Speedskating’s chief of sport performance.
Redefining the Team Pursuit
The impact of this data is already visible in the Men’s Team Pursuit. After “Project Push”—a strategy where skaters stay in formation rather than rotating—was prematurely revealed and copied by rivals in 2022, the U.S. has used Slippery Fish to refine the math behind the movement.
- Optimized Spacing: 3-D modeling has helped skaters like Emery Lehman understand the “ideal spacing” between teammates to maximize the draft.
- World Record Success: The trio of Casey Dawson, Ethan Cepuran, and Emery Lehman already holds the world record and enters the Games as the favorites for the Feb. 17 final.
- Cornering Gains: Coaches have noted improvements by having skaters raise both arms during corners rather than just on straightaways.
The Human Element: Why Not Everyone Is Buying In
Despite the technological promise, not every star is ready to let an app dictate their form. Jordan Stolz, arguably the world’s best speedskater at the moment, has opted not to use the program. For Stolz, the feel of a natural technique outweighs the theoretical gains of a “more aero” position.
Additionally, the program is currently focused on long-distance events, leaving Olympic gold medalist Erin Jackson hopeful for a sprint-specific version ahead of the 2030 Games.
Why This Matters: The New Arms Race in Sports
“Slippery Fish” represents a shift where data science is as vital as physical training. In a sport where the margin between glory and being an “also-ran” is thinner than a skate blade, the U.S. is betting that “mental warfare” and proprietary math will be the difference-makers in Milan. With other secret projects like “Cutting Edge” (skate blades) and “Iron Fist” (weighted gloves) in the works, Team USA is no longer just skating; they are engineering their way to the top.
Takeaways
- Slippery Fish is a virtual aerodynamic modeling tool using “digital twins” of athletes.
- The project cost approximately $100,000 and began development in 2023.
- It is primarily being used to perfect the Team Pursuit, where the U.S. currently holds the world record.
- The 2026 Winter Games will serve as the ultimate test for whether these “niche” analytical changes can ward off international imitators.
