Bobsleigh facts for kids
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| Highest governing body | International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | Bobsled, Bob, King's Class |
| First played | 1870s |
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | None |
| Team members | Singles or teams of 2 or 4 |
| Mixed-sex | Yes, but usually in separate competitions |
| Type | Winter sport, time trial |
| Equipment | High-tech sleigh, helmet |
| Venue | Bobsleigh tracks |
| Presence | |
| Olympic | since 1924 |
Bobsleigh, also called bobsled, is a thrilling winter sport. Athletes race down icy tracks in a special sled. They compete against the clock to get the fastest time. Teams can have two or four people. There is also a single-person event. The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation manages international competitions.
Contents
Discovering Bobsleigh
Bobsleigh is a sport of speed and teamwork. It combines athletic strength with precise steering. Teams push their sleds to a fast start. Then they zoom down a winding, icy course. The goal is to finish in the quickest time possible.
What's in a Name?
The name "bobsleigh" comes from early competitors. They would "bob" their bodies back and forth. This action helped them gain speed. Over time, the name stuck.
The Exciting History of Bobsleigh
Bobsleigh started as a fun activity. It grew into a serious Olympic sport. Its journey began in the snowy mountains of Switzerland.
How it All Started
Sledding has been popular for ages. But modern bobsleigh began in the 1870s. It started in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Wealthy British tourists were staying at the Palace Hotel. The hotel owner, Caspar Badrutt, wanted to keep them entertained.
These tourists started adapting delivery sleds. They used them for fun races. Soon, they were speeding down the town's streets. This caused some collisions with people. So, steering mechanisms were added to the sleds.
The new sleds could be steered. This allowed for longer, faster runs. But local residents were not happy. Badrutt decided to build a special track. This track was near a small place called Cresta. The Cresta Run opened in 1884. It is the oldest bobsleigh track in the world. It is still used today.
Bobsleigh Becomes a Sport
Formal competitions began on the Cresta Run in 1884. This track was built by guests and locals. It is one of the few natural-ice tracks. It does not use artificial cooling. The first bobsleigh club formed in 1897. A track built just for bobsleds opened in 1902.
Over the years, tracks changed. They went from straight paths to twisting courses. Sleds also improved. They changed from wood to sleek fiberglass and metal.
The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) started in 1923. Men's four-man bobsleigh was in the first Winter Olympics. This was in 1924 in Chamonix, France. The men's two-man event joined in 1932. Bobsleigh has been in almost every Winter Olympics since.
Women's bobsleigh began in the US in 1983. Two-woman bobsleigh became an Olympic sport in 2002. The women's monobob event was added in the 2022 games.
Germany and Switzerland have been very successful. They have won many medals. Italy, Austria, Canada, and the United States also have strong teams. Bobsleighs can reach speeds of over 150 kilometers per hour (93 mph). The world record is 157.06 km/h (97.59 mph). This was set in 2019.
Bobsleigh Today
Modern bobsleigh is a high-tech sport. It uses advanced equipment and skilled athletes.
Amazing Tracks
Modern tracks are made of concrete. They are covered with a thick layer of ice. Tracks must have at least one straight section. They also need a "labyrinth" of three quick turns. A good track is usually 1200 to 1300 meters long. It has at least fifteen curves. Sleds can go over 120 km/h (75 mph). Some turns create forces up to 5 times gravity.
Many bobsleigh tracks are also used for luge and skeleton. Some tracks offer rides for tourists. This lets people experience the thrill of bobsleigh.
Sleighs and Teams
Modern sleds are made of light metals. They have steel runners and a sleek body. Four-person sleds are up to 3.80 meters (12.5 ft) long. Two-person sleds are up to 2.70 meters (8.9 ft) long. All sleds have runners set 0.67 meters (2.2 ft) apart.
In the past, teams tried to be very heavy. This helped them go faster. Now, there are weight limits for sleds and crews. Extra metal weights can be added to reach the maximum. Sleds are designed to be light. This allows for better balance in turns.
Bobsleigh teams used to have five or six people. In the 1930s, this changed to two or four. A four-person team has a pilot, a brakeman, and two pushers. Athletes are chosen for their speed and strength. They need to push the sled fast at the start. The pilot is very important. They steer the sled along the best path for speed.
Pilots steer using two metal rings. These rings control a pulley system. This system turns the front runners. Only small steering moves are needed. Big moves at high speeds could cause a crash. The brakeman stops the sled after the finish line.
Women compete in two-woman bobsleigh. Men compete in two- and four-man events. Women can also compete in four-person events. This includes mixed-sex or all-female teams. However, this is not very common.
The Monobob Challenge
A "monobob" is a single-person bobsleigh. These sleds were created for different reasons. They are used in adaptive bobsleigh. This is for athletes who can drive but not push. They are also used for youth sports. This helps younger athletes learn to drive.
After the 2018 Winter Olympics, women's monobob became an Olympic sport. It was added for the 2022 Winter Olympics. This helped create an equal number of women's and men's bobsleigh events.
Monobobs used to have a single-piece design. Now, they have two sections. These sleds are made by a special builder. They have specific weight limits. This includes the sled and the athlete.
How Races Work
Races start with the team pushing the sled. They push for about 50 meters (164 ft). Then they jump in. The pilot does not steer much at the very start. Grooves in the ice guide the sled. A bad push can hurt a team's time.
After the push, speed depends on many things. These include the sled's weight and shape. The runners and ice condition are also key. Most importantly, the pilot's skill matters.
Times are measured in hundredths of a second. Even small mistakes can change the results. Most races have two runs. The total time from both runs decides the winner. At the Olympics and World Championships, there are four runs.
Olympic Bobsleigh Champions
Bobsleigh at the Winter Olympics List of Olympic medalists in bobsleigh
Many athletes have achieved great success in bobsleigh. They have won medals at the Winter Olympics. These champions show amazing skill and dedication.
Staying Safe in Bobsleigh
Bobsleigh is a very fast and exciting sport. Because of the high speeds, safety is extremely important. Athletes wear special helmets and protective gear. Tracks are carefully designed to be safe. Teams train hard to handle the sleds well. Organizations like the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation work to make sure everyone competes safely.
Related pages
See Also
In Spanish: Bobsleigh para niños
- Luge
- Cool Runnings
- List of Bobsleigh World Cup champions
 | Precious Adams |
 | Lauren Anderson |
 | Janet Collins |
