In bobsled, athletes use aerodynamic sleds to race against the clock on an ice-covered, serpentine course. Both men's and women's bobsled competitions include a two-person race, consisting of a driver and a brakeman. Men also compete in a four-man race, in which two other crew members - called push athletes - sit between the driver and the brakeman. Once the track is clear and the green start signal is activated, each team has 60 seconds to begin its run. The start push can make or break a race. Team members must be in top physical condition to sprint for about 164 feet, while pushing the sled from the starting clock to gain momentum.

A driver needs excellent depth perception, split-second decision-making skills and the ability to choose the fastest line through the curves while avoiding the walls. Because ice conditions are smoothest, and therefore fastest, at the beginning of a race, the top-seeded crews have the advantage of starting first.
In a sport that is timed to the 1/100th of a second, a strong start push and a good line down the track determine the winner. In the men's competition, the team with the fastest combined time after four runs (over two days) is the winner. In the women's competition, the team with the fastest combined time after two runs (in one day) is the winner.

First run: Teams are placed in seeded groups based on their International Bobsleigh and Tobogganing Federation (FIBT) ranking; the 10 top-seeded teams are placed in the first group. The order within each group is determined by a random draw.

Second run: The top 15 teams start in reverse order of the first-run results, an the remaining teams start in descending order from 16th place to last.

Third run: The start order is based on the reverse order of the first-run seedings within each group.

Final run: The start order is based on the combined time of the first three runs, with the top 15 teams starting in reverse order of rank, then places 16 to last compete in descending order.

A team is automatically disqualified if one or more competitors fail to cross the finish line with the sled. Heating the sled runners is prohibited, as the heat melts ice on the track and makes the sled travel faster. Officials test the runner temperature before each run.

For the men's events, weight limits are set at a total of 860 pounds for the two-man sled and 1,389 pounds for the four-man sled. The weight limit for the women's two-person sled is 772 pounds. If a crew and sled weigh less than the limit, weights may be added. Because heavier sleds are more difficult to push at the start, competitors sometimes decide that a lighter sled is to their advantage.

For season long training programs, please contact one of the local clubs listed below:

Utah Skeleton and Bobsled Association
3419 Olympic Parkway
PO Box 980596
Park City, UT 84098-0596
Phone 435-487-9019
Internet: www.utahice.org

National Ability Center
P.O. Box 682799
Park City, Utah 84068
Tel: 435-649-3991
Fax: 435-658-3992
Internet : www.discovernac.org
Email: info@discovernac.org

National Governing Body (NGB)
U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation
P.O. Box 828 (421 Old Military Rd.)
Lake Placid, NY 12946-0828
Tel: 518-523-1842
Fax: 518-523-9491
Internet: www.usbsf.com

International Federation (IF)
Federation Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobagganing (FIBT)
Via Piranesi 44B
20137 Milan, Italy
Internet: www.fibt.com
Internet: www.bobsleigh.com