This article is about the racing technique. For other uses, see Drafting (disambiguation)

Drafting is a technique in sports racing where competitors align in a close group in order to reduce the overall effect of drag or fluid resistance of the group. Especially when high speeds are involved, drafting can significantly reduce the average energy expenditure required to maintain a certain speed.

Drafting is usually to reduce wind resistance and is seen most commonly in bicycle racing and car racing, though is occasionally used even in running. Some forms of triathlon allow drafting. Fluid resistance can also mean water resistance, however, and so drafting is sometimes seen in swimming as well, particularly in "open-water" swim events where competitors are not separated into distinct lanes.

In cycling, a tightly-packed group of cyclists is called a peloton.

Drafting can be cooperative, in which several competitors take turns in the lead position (which requires the most effort and energy consumption). Or, it can be competitive or tactical, where one competitor will try to stay closely behind another leaving him or her more energy (or fuel, in auto racing) for a break-away push to the finish line.

Drafting in nature

Cooperative fluid dynamics techniques like drafting are found in nature, as well. Flocks of geese and some other birds fly in a "V" formation that is believed to improve overall fluid dynamics, though not in the straightforward fashion of car racing, which involves close positioning in single file. Goose flocking is not fully understood, but probably invoves the recovery of energy from vortices created by the leading birds' wingtips. (For this reason, it may not meet some people's definition of drafting).

Other animals have been observed to use true drafting behavior reminiscent of auto racing or cycling. Lobsters, for example, are known to migrate in close single-file formation "lobster trains", sometimes for hundreds of miles.