water bottles were melting, water bottles melt at 105F???
Posted on 01/11/2015 9:55:30 AM PST by Dave346
With a number of days above 40 degrees, last year's Australian Open was so hot that water bottles were melting, ball boys were collapsing and fans were left needing treatment.
In the first days of the tournament, more players withdrew mid-match than at any point in grand slam history.
Canada's Frank Dancevic fainted in his first set, and later called the decision to make players take to the court in those conditions "inhumane".
Croatian Ivan Dodig feared he might die, while American Varvarva Lepchenko said she felt "dizzier and dizzier" during her match, and "couldn't physically get up" for an hour after the match.
The Australian National University's Dr Liz Hanna, a specialist in heat and how people cope with it, says it is inevitable that a sports star will die in the Australian summer.
She believes there are plenty of cooler months in the year when the events could be held.
Alternatively, she believes summer sports should be more flexible and adapt to the conditions by delaying matches when it gets dangerously hot.
"In the major tournaments, this is going to be difficult [given TV and sponsorship deals], but in the end, people's lives are more important than money," she said.
"It's certainly going to get worse, it's going to get a lot worse.
"It's a matter of how soon, and if [the hot days] land on the specific days of the events and it's becoming increasingly likely.
"It's a dereliction of duty for people to not plan for this... It's a serious issue that has not been given its due recognition."
Dr Hanna said playing sport in extreme heat also reduces a sport's spectacle, because it turns it from a battle of skill, tactics and fitness to one that is purely about heat tolerance.
(Excerpt) Read more at abc.net.au ...
Why don’t they just move it to someplace with a roof?
Death of sports star ‘inevitable’ in Australia’s summer heat
That should raise ratings.
How hot is that in Fahrenheit?
105 ish.
(C * 9/5) + 32 = F
40 * 9/5 = 72
72 + 32 = 104 Fahrenheit
It was mean to be played in winter. In deep snow. Between blizzards.
Thanks guys. That’s pretty hot.
water bottles were melting, water bottles melt at 105F???
I wonder if they have to sign their life away before playing?
The eco-friendly bottles and cups aren't worth much as BOTTLES and CUPS. They degrade rather easily (and makes you wonder what trace elements from the container are seeping into your beverage).
The Australian Open courts are artificial, so it’s similar to asphalt on hot days.
that might well do it
yet humping 100lbs of weapon, ammo, water, etc everyday in the sandbox in 120deg heat is a normal day
This is ridiculous, tennis professionals are the most fit athletes on the planet, in addition:
The Australian Open Extreme Heat Policy (EHP) will be applied at the Referee’s discretion and may be altered at any time.
At the Referee’s discretion, when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature only (WBGT) is equal to or above the pre-determined threshold, the Referee may suspend the commencement of any further matches on outside courts.
Any matches currently in progress will continue until the end of the current set. At the completion of the set, play will be suspended.
Where play in any match commences outdoors (or with a roof open) and the WBGT temperature is equal to or exceeds the pre-determined threshold, the match will continue until the completion of the set. At the end of the set a decision may be made by the Referee to close the roof for the remainder of the match and the following matches, when the EHP is still in effect.
A roof will only be closed because of extreme heat if a decision has been made by the Referee to suspend the completion or commencement of matches on the outdoor courts.
Supplement for women’s singles and junior singles only; to allow a 10-minute break between the second and third sets when a WBGT reading of 28 has been recorded prior to the calling of the match by Tournament Control. Readings are continually made throughout the day.
The 10-minute break will not apply between the second and third sets, if play had previously been suspended after the first set due to the EHP.
Hottest day in last year’s Aussie Open was 111 F (and they didn’t even stop play that day)!
What was the humidity?
She believes there are plenty of cooler months in the year when the events could be held
I’m in Texas, 105 is very hot but I never saw no water bottles melt
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