Bobsledding

1
Bobsledding

• Greg Lahti glahti_at_nmu.edu
• 26 February 2006

2
The Sled

• Bobsleds consist of a main hull, frame, a front
  and a rear axle, and two sets of runners.
• The hull is generally made of fiberglass (in two
  separate pieces) and mounted on four runners.
• Runners are made of a single piece of solid
  steel without coatings or plating.
• Two pieces of rope serve as the steering
  mechanism. The rope is pulled in the direction
  the driver would like to go.
• The brake is only used
• to stop the sled at the
• end of the run. A lever
• lowers jagged metal into
• the ice.

Photo link
3
The Competitors

• There are three categories of competition.
• Two-man
• Four-man
• Womens (two competitors).
• The original bobsledders had five to six man
  teams.
• A two person team consists of a driver
• and a brakeman.
• A four person team consists of a driver,
• two pushers, and a brakeman.
• Women only compete as a two person
• team at this time.

Photo link
4
The Competition

• All three bobsled events in the Olympics make
  four total runs. Two on each day of competition.
• The fastest total time after all four runs is the
  winner. Ties are not broken. They are awarded the
  same place. Time is measured to the hundredth of
  a second.
• Heavier sleds usually travel faster. Two-man
  sleds can weigh a maximum of 390kg and 630kg for
  the four-man. Weights can be added to the sled to
  make up any lack of weight.
• The tracks are 1300 meters long.
• There are 16 bobsled runs worldwide. Here is
  where they are located.

Worldwide bobruns
5
References

• USBSF

2006 Torino Olympics (NBC) Bobsled
graphic ItalyWorldClub
2006 Olympic USA Women's Silver Medalists