A devastating knee injury at the end of last season jeopardized American skier Laurenne Ross’ Olympic dream, but with the help of virtual reality (VR) technology that let her train even away from the slopes, this downhill racer is ready to make her mark in PyeongChang.
Since early 2016, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) has collaborated with California startup STRIVR, which provides VR training for people ranging from employees of Fortune 100 companies to NFL athletes. The company helps coaches use special cameras to record 360-degree videos and then stitches them into virtual experiences that can be viewed through VR headsets like the Samsung Gear or Oculus Rift.
“They now have the ability to replicate the mountain without actually having to be on the mountain,” says STRIVR CEO Derek Belch. “They don't need to fly, they don't need a perfect day, they don't need to follow the winter and make sure there's always snow.”
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Source : Foxnews
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