All there is to know about bobsledding:
How it all began:
Bobsledding began in Switzerland when the Swiss placed a steering mechanism on a wooden toboggan and eventually in 1897 the first bobsled club was formed in Switzerland. The sport gained popularity throughout European resorts, where races were held on natural ice tracks over the weekend. The sport earned its name from the way crews would "Bob" back and forth attempting to make the sled go faster.
The Federation Internationale et de Tobogganing (FIBT the world governing association for bobsledding) was formed in 1923 and the following year the first ever 4-Man Bobsled race was held in Chmanoix, France. However the 2-Man event was not introduced until the 1932 Winter Olympics held in Lake Placid, New York.
Having the fastest start was recognized in the 1950's and the sport began to recruit athletes from other disciplines such as Track and Field, Football, and other strong explosive athletes were recruited in order to obtain the fastest starts possible. As athletes evolved so did the technology supporting the sport of bobsled. Bobsleds were no longer made out of wood or steel and controlled by a car steering wheel. They have become well constructed metal frames wrapped in a fiberglass body, controlled by a more responsive pulley system of bungee cords and d-rings.
The competitiveness of the sport also grew with the introduction of the World Cup tour in the mid 1980's. Teams were now able to achieve success on a yearly racing circuit and not only in the Olympics or World Championships. The World Cup circuit also created greater fan fair around the world as countries were now able to follow their teams year round as they raced. With this competitive circuit idea, smaller more developmental circuits have been introduced as ways for younger, newer athletes in the sport to compete and develop their skills in order to reach the World Cup stage. All of these changes and advances have added up to the sport we know and love today.
The Federation Internationale et de Tobogganing (FIBT the world governing association for bobsledding) was formed in 1923 and the following year the first ever 4-Man Bobsled race was held in Chmanoix, France. However the 2-Man event was not introduced until the 1932 Winter Olympics held in Lake Placid, New York.
Having the fastest start was recognized in the 1950's and the sport began to recruit athletes from other disciplines such as Track and Field, Football, and other strong explosive athletes were recruited in order to obtain the fastest starts possible. As athletes evolved so did the technology supporting the sport of bobsled. Bobsleds were no longer made out of wood or steel and controlled by a car steering wheel. They have become well constructed metal frames wrapped in a fiberglass body, controlled by a more responsive pulley system of bungee cords and d-rings.
The competitiveness of the sport also grew with the introduction of the World Cup tour in the mid 1980's. Teams were now able to achieve success on a yearly racing circuit and not only in the Olympics or World Championships. The World Cup circuit also created greater fan fair around the world as countries were now able to follow their teams year round as they raced. With this competitive circuit idea, smaller more developmental circuits have been introduced as ways for younger, newer athletes in the sport to compete and develop their skills in order to reach the World Cup stage. All of these changes and advances have added up to the sport we know and love today.
What Kind of Equipment is used?
Bobsleds:
Bobsleds are aerodynamically designed to produce the least amount of wind resistance that is possible within the rule guidelines of the sport. There is a steel endoskeleton and a sturdy fiberglass exoskeleton all of which is the tool used to get down the track and protect bobsledders in the event of crashing. There are maximum weights for each bobsled discipline of 2-man and 4-man which includes the sled/equipment as well as crew. The front nose of a bobsled also called the cowling is separated from the rear of the sled. This separation allows for articulation to occur to enable a bobsled to maneuver on and off turns of the track. There are push handles for the driver and brakemen to use in order to help them with the quick starts off the block. On the sleds, the driver's push bar is located on the left side of the driver's seat and is retractable by a button activated by the driver once in the sled. On the 2-man sleds, the brakeman handles are permanently attached to the body of the bobsled located in the back, these handles are also on the 4-man bobsled body. Also on the 4-man sleds, there are side retractable handles similar to the driver's push bar but smaller in size located near the rear of the sled for the right and left side push athletes.
Bobsleds are aerodynamically designed to produce the least amount of wind resistance that is possible within the rule guidelines of the sport. There is a steel endoskeleton and a sturdy fiberglass exoskeleton all of which is the tool used to get down the track and protect bobsledders in the event of crashing. There are maximum weights for each bobsled discipline of 2-man and 4-man which includes the sled/equipment as well as crew. The front nose of a bobsled also called the cowling is separated from the rear of the sled. This separation allows for articulation to occur to enable a bobsled to maneuver on and off turns of the track. There are push handles for the driver and brakemen to use in order to help them with the quick starts off the block. On the sleds, the driver's push bar is located on the left side of the driver's seat and is retractable by a button activated by the driver once in the sled. On the 2-man sleds, the brakeman handles are permanently attached to the body of the bobsled located in the back, these handles are also on the 4-man bobsled body. Also on the 4-man sleds, there are side retractable handles similar to the driver's push bar but smaller in size located near the rear of the sled for the right and left side push athletes.
Speed Suits:
Speed suits are the spandex competition uniform that are aerodynamically designed for bobsledders to where during a race. Under Armour has designed special full body suits for bobsled use and are the official supplier of speed suits as well as outer weather gear for the USA Bobsled Team.
Helmets:
Helmets that bobsledders use are your typical full-faced motorcycle helmets. Pilots use the face-shield or goggles where the brakeman leave them open faced. KBC provides the helmets for the United States Bobsled Team.
Speed suits are the spandex competition uniform that are aerodynamically designed for bobsledders to where during a race. Under Armour has designed special full body suits for bobsled use and are the official supplier of speed suits as well as outer weather gear for the USA Bobsled Team.
Helmets:
Helmets that bobsledders use are your typical full-faced motorcycle helmets. Pilots use the face-shield or goggles where the brakeman leave them open faced. KBC provides the helmets for the United States Bobsled Team.
Gloves:
The gloves worn by bobsledders are leather gloves similar to those worn by professional football and baseball players. They tend to have a slip resistant palm and be padded or not padded based on preference of the athlete.
Shoes:
The shoes worn by bobsledders are called "Brushed Spikes" which are unique to the sports of bobsled and skeleton. The front toe pad is similar to those shoes worn in track except that Bob Spikes have about 250 1/8 of an inch stainless steel spikes attached to them that are ideal for traction on ice.
The gloves worn by bobsledders are leather gloves similar to those worn by professional football and baseball players. They tend to have a slip resistant palm and be padded or not padded based on preference of the athlete.
Shoes:
The shoes worn by bobsledders are called "Brushed Spikes" which are unique to the sports of bobsled and skeleton. The front toe pad is similar to those shoes worn in track except that Bob Spikes have about 250 1/8 of an inch stainless steel spikes attached to them that are ideal for traction on ice.
Where the races take place:Around the world, the FIBT has approved 15 tracks capable of hosting bobsled races. The are spread out between North America, Europe and Asia.
Lake Placid, New York, USA (site of 2012 World Championships) Park City, Utah, USA Calgary, Alberta, Canada Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (site of 2010 Winter Olympics) Cesana Pariol, Italy Cortina, Italy Winterberg, Germany Altenberg, Germany Konigssee, Germany St. Moritz, Switzerland (site for the 2013 World Championships) Innsbruck, Austria Nagano, Japan (no longer used on the World Cup Circuit) Sochi, Russia (site of 2014 Winter Olympics) |
 Map of Lake Placid Track |
