(EMAILWIRE.COM, May 21, 2002 ) Players in the 2002 soccer World Cup will be kicking the fastest and most accurate footballs ever. The ball, called Fevernova is 25 per cent more precise and 10 per cent faster than Tricolore, the 1998 match ball. It has been made with the latest technology and materials developed in the laboratories and research centres of the German company Bayer.

Kicking tests with robotic legs showed that, at a distance of 20 to 25 metres, the Fevernova can repeatedly strike an area just 20 centimetres across. It can travel at speeds of up to 130 km/h (81 mph).
The ball's performance results from a new combination of materials that improves the transfer of force from the footballer's foot and better retains the roundness of the ball. This fact has been confirmed by players like the French star Zinedine Zidane and the Argentinian player Pablo Aimar who were part of the early testing.
The Fevernova ball has a polymer outer skin under which is a layer of foam. Under the foam is a new knitted textile mesh that in turn covers the latex bladder.
The mesh provides strength that limits the initial deformation when the ball is kicked and helps the ball remain spherical in flight. Distorting the round shape leads to an uneven airflow around the ball, making it veer off course. The ability of players to swerve the ball will not be affected as this is done by imparting spin. "With long passes the flight path is much more accurate", said the England star David Beckham.
The foam is key to transferring the foot's force. It contains a regular pattern of gas-filled bubbles, meaning the applied force is faithfully transferred to the ball. The bubbles are also highly elastic, meaning the ball is soft enough to be kicked comfortably but absorbs very little energy. As a result, more of the applied energy goes into propelling the ball forward, so it travels faster. The ball also has a weight advantage. A large, light ball would tend to wobble like a balloon if kicked hard. So Fevernova has been created near FIFA's lower limit of circumference and upper limit of weight, because heavier and smaller balls have the most accurate trajectory.

---------------

Produced for Bayer

Contact:
Bastien Hibon
Medialink's Media Relations
44 20 7554 2761
bhibon@europe.medialink.com

---------------

Contact Information:
Bayer
Joseph Nchor
Tel:
Email us


This is a press release. Press release distribution and press release services by EmailWire.Com: http://www.emailwire.com/us-press-release-distribution.php.