Learn About Bobsleigh
The Sport Today
Bobsled has evolved significantly from its early days of wooden sleds and basic track designs. Today, state-of-the-art sleds can reach speeds of nearly 100 mph (160 km/h) while experiencing forces of up to 6G through tight, high-speed curves. The sport now features 18 tracks worldwide, spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, with over 40 nations competing at the highest level.
Men compete in two-man and four-man events, while women race in two-woman and monobob, the latter making its Olympic debut at Beijing 2022 to promote greater gender inclusion in the sport.
Modern bobsledders are elite, full-time athletes, often coming from backgrounds in sprinting, powerlifting, or other explosive sports. Success in bobsled relies on mastering three key elements: the start (power and speed off the block), the drive (precision through the ice), and the equipment (technology and aerodynamics).
The Track
There are many tracks around the world, each varying in length and featuring up to 21 corners. Every track requires a unique driving style, and many drivers struggle to adapt, as they only get six practice runs per week before races begin.
Most tracks are artificial, meaning they are constructed from concrete with ammonia pipes running through their length. Water is sprayed onto the surface, and the ammonia refrigerates the track, keeping the ice frozen. Skilled track workers then shape the ice using specialized tools to create a smooth and safe racing surface. If the ice is cut incorrectly, it can make the track extremely difficult to drive and may result in dangerous crashes.
St. Moritz is the only remaining natural ice track in the world. Unlike artificial tracks, it is built from snow each year and carefully sculpted by track workers. While the layout remains consistent, with the same corners and directions, no two seasons are ever exactly alike.
Tracks of the world
Austria
Innsbruck
Canada
Calgary
Whistler
China
Yanqing
France
La Plagne
Germany
Altenberg
Königssee
Oberhof
Winterberg
Japan
Nagano
Latvia
Sigulda
Norway
Lillehammer
Russia
Sochi
South Korea
Pyeongchang
Switzerland
St. Moritz
USA
Lake Placid
Park City
Bobsled is more than just speed and precision, it’s the perfect harmony of power, skill, and ice. It’s a sport where fractions of a second define greatness, and every run is a breathtaking dance between chaos and control.