全球卫星定位导航系统不仅是驾车族的好帮手，如今还被加拿大国家滑雪队用作训练时重要的辅助工具。它不但能准确测量和记录运动员的滑行速度和方位，还能指示最佳滑行路线。

    A GPS-based system has been an important tool in the daily training of Canada’s Alpine skiers for the Olympics, said the Canadian team last Saturday.

    The national Alpine Canada team has used its Sensor for the Training of Elite Athletes technology based on the Global Positioning System and developed by the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary.

    The GPS-based device uses an antenna on the skier’s helmet to transmit signals to satellites. The data is fed to coaches and skiers to determine what improvements can be made in finding the quickest way down the mountain. It can also provide useful information about ski testing in various snow and weather conditions.

    A data-recording unit inside the skiers’ waist pack weighs 270 grams. It records speed and location with almost automatic playback    ability. As for accuracy, the unit provides a skier’s location within five centimeters.

    Other ski teams are also looking at GPS technology. The USA started experimenting with it, mainly for ski testing. Germany used it mostly for mostly scientific research.