Are You Ready to Take On the Challenge?
ThinkSport is calling upon the next generation of tech innovators to dive into the world of sport and data and help shape the future of skating.
DATA-HACK 2025, part of the Sport Innovation Challenge (SIC) series, is an international competition for students from leading technology universities. It brings together the sharpest minds to tackle real-life challenges posed by global sport federations—this year, in collaboration with the International Skating Union (ISU).
Co-organised by ThinkSport and scoreTec, and supported by Alibaba Cloud and Swiss University Sports, the challenge is your chance to work with real data, cutting-edge tools, and expert mentors.
The 2025 Challenge Topics from ISU
This year’s edition invites participants to explore the intersection of technology, creativity, and performance through two unique topics:
- Beat to Glide – The Ultimate Skating Soundtrack Challenge
How can we generate emotionally powerful, legally safe music for figure skating programs across all levels, while preserving artistic impact? - Data on Ice – Unlock Hidden Stories
How can ISU’s vast archive of data — videos, results, bios — be transformed into rich, engaging narratives for fans, media, and governing bodies?
Why Take Part?
As an academic partner, you will be an active stakeholder in the challenge, and representing them throughout the competition. This is a unique opportunity to enter an award-winning competition against other universities via your student groups. It also gives you access to real cases and data from a sports federation. This project can be included in your student’s curriculum. Find more information here.
Key Info
- Challenge period: September – December 2025
- Organisers: ThinkSport & scoreTec
- Challenge Partner: International Skating Union (ISU)
- Sponsors: Alibaba Cloud & Swiss University Sports
- Contact to onboard: datahack.challenge@thinksport.org
- More info at: https://thinksport.org/product/data-hack-challenge/
Save the Date: Kick-off Event
All registered teams are invited to the DATA-HACK 2025 Kick-off Event, where we will officially launch this year’s edition.
📅 Date: Friday, 3 October 2025
📍 Location: Hybrid / Onsite at Synathlon, Lausanne, Switzerland
🕒 Time: To be confirmed
This session is mandatory for participating teams and will cover the challenge scope, tools, expert mentors, and important dates. A detailed programme will be shared in advance.