Golden formula for Beijing

The work of a mathematician 110 years ago could play a key role in Australia securing a gold medal in the rowing events at this year's Beijing Olympics.

When John Henry Michell published a paper on wave resistance of ships back in 1898, it created barely a ripple of interest, much to his disappointment.

The listless reaction from his peers perhaps explains why this brilliant Melbourne mathematician chose not to publish anything more after 1902, instead devoting the remainder of his academic life to teaching. But were he alive today, Professor Michell could well be on the cusp of one of Australia's greatest achievements - in sport.

Fast track to 2008 and another mathematician - University of Adelaide PhD candidate Leo Lazauskas - hopes to finally gain the long overdue recognition for Michell.

Mr Lazauskas is part of a national collaborative effort to design a rowing shell for current World and Australian Pairs Rowing Champions Drew Ginn and Duncan Free. The shell will carry the hopes of millions of Australians at this year's Beijing Olympics.

The major partners involved are: Sykes Racing of Geelong, Australia's leading manufacturer of rowing shells; Dr Matt Dingle of Applied Research and Development, who has worked on the hull; the Victorian Institute of Sport; and the Queensland Academy of Sport.

For his part, Mr Lazauskas has applied the same algorithmic methods advocated by Professor Michell in his wave resistance research in the late 1800s to help minimise the hydrodynamic drag on the hull.

"We are hoping for a 1% advantage over other competitors, which translates to several seconds - a huge margin in sport," he said.

Under the supervision of Professor Ernie Tuck from the University of Adelaide's School of Mathematical Sciences, Mr Lazauskas has used Professor Michell's methods to evaluate thousands of competing shell designs and evolve new ones using techniques such as Memetic Algorithms (abstract templates).

"With some mathematical ingenuity and modern computers, I have been able to do calculations in a fraction of a second that would take other methods several days on very large super computers."

Mr Lazauskas started work 12 years ago on designs to optimise the drag of rowing shells.

"I am not a rower but I find the sport to be a fascinating study involving mathematics, advanced computer methods, mechanical engineering and biomechanics. I set myself a goal many years ago that I would like to help design a boat that is used in the Olympics -- and it's wonderful to see that dream come to fruition."

Professor Michell's work only applies to thin, slender ships, which is essentially what rowing shells are.

"Essentially, what we have done is tweak the performance of the hull. This involves fine tuning the shell to exactly match the weight, strength and muscle definition of the rowers," he said. "The same boat would not perform as well with lightweight women, for example."

The team work has already paid off, with Drew Ginn and Duncan Free trialling the new rowing shell at the National Championships in March, where they took out the title.

Three identical boats have now been built for the titleholders in the run-up to Beijing - one has been shipped to Europe for pre-Olympic competitions, another one has been sent to Beijing, and a third shell will remain in Australia for training before the European leg.

"This boat was assessed from every possible angle and performance tested by the Australian Institute of Sport," Mr Lazauskas said. "If it hadn't come up to scratch it wouldn't be going to the Olympics because a number of other shells from overseas were also trialled. We're just happy they chose ours." ■

STORY CANDY GIBSON