Bobsled 101

Sport

• Internationally, the sport is know as Bobsleigh
• Women compete only in 2-man bobsled and now 1-man bobsled known as Monobob
• Bobsleds can travel up to 90mph on the track

Athletes

• Each sled has a Pilot (driver) and Brakeman (passenger)
• The Pilot uses D-rings to steer down the track
• The Brakeman only uses the brakes when the race is over (they are never used in the race as it ruins the track)
• The athletes wear a helmet, spikes, mouth guard, gloves and a burn vest

​Team USA

• Team USA has two official teams: The National Team and the American Cup Team
• Besides the Olympics, the teams compete in World Championships and National Champsionship
• The bobsled season is typically October to March

Tracks

• 2 bobsled tracks in the USA: Park City, UT and Lake Placid, NY
• 16 tracks worldwide
• The track in Whistler, CA (Whistler Sliding Centre) is the fastest. A curve on the track is known as 50/50 because it's that chance you'll crash