Winter Sports Lighting
SPORTS LIGHTING
WINTER SPORTS
GOING FOR GOLD
Winter sports might not be for everyone, but there’s certainly masses of supporters around the world. In the run up to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, China reported that they’d hit their target of getting 300 million people participating in winter sports. In that same year, it’s also said that 8 % of the United States population took part in winter sports, while in England, the figure was documented as 233 000 people. It’s no surprise then, that winter sporting venues are being developed and refurbished to meet the demands of those high user numbers.
Key Design Considersations
LIGHTING CRITERIA
Achieving the right balance of horizontal and vertical illuminance, with consistent uniformity across the activity area, is essential to ensure optimal visibility and prevent shadows. Effective glare control is also crucial, allowing participants to focus without experiencing visual discomfort. For colour rendering, outdoor areas should aim for a value above Ra 70, while indoor spaces require a higher standard, exceeding Ra 80. Additionally, colour temperatures should be considered within the range of 3000 K to 5000 K to accommodate different lighting needs.
TV BROADCASTING
For HD TV broadcasts, it is essential to maintain a high TLCI (Television Lighting Consistency Index) and ensure a very low flicker factor. This enables cameras to capture a high number of frames per second (FPS), allowing for super slow-motion and freeze-frame shots with optimal clarity.
ENERGY, MAINTENANCE AND REFURBISHMENT
Implementing lighting controls, such as switching or dimming, can significantly reduce energy consumption and lower operational costs. Lighting products should be durable, able to withstand extreme weather conditions, whether it be intense heat or freezing cold, and must have appropriate IP and IK ratings for protection. Upgrading from HID to LED installations offers energy savings and eliminates the long warm-up times associated with HID systems. Point-for-point LED replacements, where the new technology is of similar weight to the existing HID system, allow for the continued use of current infrastructure like mounting poles. Thorn also ensures sustainability by providing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which certify traceable and measurable eco-friendly solutions.
