Bobsledding – USABobsledding – USABobsleighingBobsleighing

4 - men4 - men

By: Jack HurleyBy: Jack Hurley

Bobsledding OriginsBobsledding Origins

• Started in Switzerland in Saint Moritz in 19th century

• Bobsleds were first raced on icy grounds• First competition was in 1898 with 5 person

sleds• Best known run – track is in Lake Placid, NY• Early champions were American and British

teams• Switzerland’s Fritz Feierabend introduced

(faster) sled with hardened steel in 1931.

Bobsledding Bobsledding Olympic HistoryOlympic History

• Olympic sport in 1924 4- men

• Chamonix, France

• Two men introduced in 1932 in Lake Placid, NY

• Two woman introduced in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah

BobsleddingBobsleddingThe Track “bobrun”The Track “bobrun”

• Constructed on hillsides or artificial slopes

• Look like tunnels without a roof

• Concrete covered with snow and ice

• Course measures 1200 to 1600 m length

• Drop in height along the track is 125 m

• Several 360° turns

• Some banks on sides are 6 m

BobsleddingBobsleddingBasic GuidelinesBasic Guidelines

• Bobsled teams are made up of 4 people• Weight limit is 1,389 pounds• Team starts by running down track @228ft• Bobsleds are fiberglass and have brakes• Look like rockets because of shape• Speeds up to 118mph, but average 60-90mph• Tracks are called “bobruns”• 1st guy steers, last guy brakes, two in middle

lean forward then snap back – called “bobbing”

Bobsledding Basic RulesBobsledding Basic Rules

• Races are decided by the elapsed time of the teams to go down the course

• One sled on the course at a time• The “eye” transmits it’s impulse to start the clock at it

crosses the start line• Electric clock records the front of the sled crossing finish

line – electric eye stops the clock• Vernier scale is used to come up with time to the

hundredth of a second• 4 trips down course – combined score is winner• Sled can overturn but all must remain inside the sled• Maximum weight of sled is 507lbs

Bobsledding Famous TeamBobsledding Famous Team

Jamaica1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, AlbertaHad sprinters for team which was a new approachDidn’t finish but inspired all by walking their sled to

finish lineFamous motion picture “Cool Runnings” after

Jamaican team1n 1984, in Lillehammer, Norway the Jamaican team

stunned all by finishing 14th – ahead of US!

Bobsledding 4 men Olympic Team Bobsledding 4 men Olympic Team Leading MedalistLeading Medalist

Switzerland –9 gold, 30 total

Germany – 7 gold, 16 total

United States – 6 gold, 18 total

BobsleddingBobsleddingUSA guy to watchUSA guy to watch

• Steve Holcomb

• 2009-2010 World Cup Gold Medalist