The Science of Speed: Inside the Lab Helping Team USA Bobsled Chase Gold

When Team USA bobsledders take the track in Milan Cortina next week, they won't be alone. Behind every run is a team of engineers who've spent years perfecting the sleds they'll ride.

At Honda's Automotive Laboratories of Ohio—known as HALO—a massive wind tunnel typically used for cars has become a secret weapon for American bobsled. The facility simulates conditions at speeds up to 310 kilometers per hour, mirroring what athletes experience as they hurtle down the track approaching 90 mph.

"Bobsledding doesn't have engines. It's about conserving momentum," said Nicole Whiting, a senior aerodynamic engineer for Honda. "Our athletes are working to improve their speed and their strength. Now, we're doing the other side of that, which is helping them improve their equipment."

The partnership started as an experiment but has become integral to USA Bobsled's development program. Engineers pore over race footage, studying not just American athletes but competitors from other countries, looking for any advantage they can build into the next sled design.

For Whiting, who started her engineering journey at a math and science camp in middle school, the work carries personal weight. She's hoping the combination of athletic talent and scientific precision adds up to a gold medal.

The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics begin Friday, February 6th. You can catch all the action on NBC Palm Springs.