Bobsleigh (Bobsled), Skeleton and Luge are extreme sports which a person or a team slide down on a Sled in an artificial track made of concrete, Fiberglass or metal with ice coating.
Bobsleigh or Bobsled is a team sport which there is a pilot on the front of the sled when one or three teammates accompanying him or her. One of them is the brakeman and the others are the pushers. The tracks usually long about 1250 meters with a straight section and at least fifteen curves. The speed can get more than 130 Km/h (80 mph). The first bobsleigh track ever made was in St. Moritz, Switzerland in 1903.
Sleighs are made of light metals and steels and because of the weight limit, they made them as light as it possible. Here are the weight and length limits of Bobsleigh in competitions:
- Maximum length of 3.8 Meters (12.5 Ft.) for 4 teammates with the gauge of 67 cm (2.2 Ft.)
- Maximum length of 2.7 Meters (8.9 Ft.) for 2 teammates with the gauge of 67 cm (2.2 Ft.)
- Maximum weight of 630 Kg (1,390 lb) for 4 men
- Maximum weight of 390 Kg (860 lb) for 2 men
- Maximum weight of 340 Kg (860 lb) for 2 women
Skeleton is another kind of ice sliding sport which a person (pilot) slide down on a small sled (sleigh) called Skeleton Bobsleigh or Bobsled with a prone position head front. The speed in skeleton bobsleighs or skeleton bobsleds can get more than 130 Km/h (80 mph). Here are the weight and length limits of Skeleton Bobsleigh in competitions:
- The sled’s length between 80 cm(31.5 in) t0 120 cm (47.2 in) and the maximum weight of 43 Kg (94.8 lb) for men
- The sled’s length between 80 cm(31.5 in) t0 120 cm (47.2 in) and the maximum weight of 35 Kg (77.2 lb) for women
- The sled’s height between 8 cm (3.1 in) t0 20 cm (7.9 in)
- Maximum sled’s weight of 43 Kg (94.8 lb) for men
- Maximum sled’s weight of 35 Kg (77.2 lb) for women
- Maximum sled, driver and equipment weight of 115 Kg (253.5 lb) for men
- Maximum sled, driver and equipment weight of 92 Kg (202.8 lb) for women
Luge is another kind of ice sliding sport which one or two people slide down on small sled (sleigh) called Luge with a face-up position feet front. The speed in Luge can get more than 130 Km/h (80 mph). the world speed record for Luge is 154 Km/h (96 mph) made by Manuel Pfister during winter Olympic 2010 in Whistler, British Columbia (BC), Canada. Here are the weight limits of Luge in competitions:
- Maximum sled’s weight of 21 to 25 kg (46 to 55 lb) for single
- Maximum sled’s weight of 25 to 30 kg (55 to 66 lb) for double
Some of the necessary things you need to have for Bobsleigh or Bobsled, Skeleton and Luge are Speedsuit, Helmet, Sled, Spiked shoe, Goggles, Elbow Pad, Shoulder Pad, Gloves, …
There is an opportunity in Whistler sliding center, British Columbia (BC), Canada for a training program and tourist to get a ride on bobsleigh in all season and Skeleton in winter.
Useful Links:
http://www.bobsleighcanadaskeleton.ca
