🏛️Official — IBSF
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Winter Sports
2 players
both
bobsled, helmet, race suit
10 essential rules
Bobsled (also known as bobsleigh) is governed by the International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), founded in 1923 and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The sport operates under the IBSF International Rules, updated annually. The IBSF also governs skeleton, making it the authority f...
Bobsleds are precision-engineered machines constructed primarily from steel and fibreglass composites. Key specifications vary by event: Women’s Monobob: only the IBSF standardised Monobob provided by iXent is allowed at official IBSF races (Art. 10.8.1). Minimum sled weight 163 kg (359 lb); maxi...
Each sled rides on four steel runners — two front (steerable) and two rear (fixed). Runner specifications are strictly controlled: Material: steel to IBSF specifications, with a hardness not exceeding 385 Brinell (HB) or 400 Vickers (HV) (Art. 12.2.7.2); Runner gauge (centre to centre of opposite...
Helmet: Full-face helmet mandatory in training and race heats, conforming to ECE, OKM or DOT safety standards; no aerodynamic elements may be added (Art. 10.16.1).; Race suit: Must be made from uncoated textile; no aerodynamic elements may be attached outside or under the suit (Art. 10.16.3).; St...
Bobsled tracks are purpose-built, artificially refrigerated ice channels. Track construction uses reinforced concrete with embedded ammonia or brine refrigeration pipes to maintain ice temperature.
The push-start zone is approximately 50 m (164 ft) long with a gentle gradient of 2–5%. The surface is ice-covered, and crew members use spiked shoes for traction during the sprint.
The finish area includes a deceleration straight of at least 100 m with gradually increasing incline to slow the sled naturally. A mechanical braking area follows.
There are fewer than 20 active sliding tracks worldwide. Notable venues include the Yanqing National Sliding Center (2022 Beijing), Alpensia Sliding Centre (2018 PyeongChang), Sanki Sliding Center (2014 Sochi), and the historic St.
Pilot (driver): Sits at the front of the sled and steers using two D-shaped rings connected by cables to the front runner axle. Precise steering inputs determine the sled's line through each curve. The pilot is the only crew member who actively controls the sled during the run.; Brakeman: Sits at...
Only athletes of the same nation, holding a valid IBSF license and registered for the competition, may form a team (Art. 10.1).
Jury: Can interrupt or stop the race, for example for track damage or weather, in consultation with the Technical Delegate, the Race Director and the Chief of Track (Art. 10.6.10).; Race Director: Organiser’s official responsible for running the competition.; Technical Delegate: IBSF-appointed of...
Never touch another team's sled without explicit permission
Bobsleds are precision instruments with carefully calibrated runners, weight distribution, and components. Handling a rival team's sled uninvited — even to help right it after a crash — is considered a serious breach. Teams are protective of setup details that can be gleaned by touch or inspection.
Applies at all levels; particularly sensitive at elite level where runner preparation is proprietary.
Guard your runner preparation as a trade secret
The grinding, polishing, and heat-treating of steel runners is the primary performance differentiator in elite bobsled. Openly photographing, examining up close, or attempting to replicate a rival team's runner setup is considered a serious violation of competitive ethics, even though runners are technically visible in the start house.
Swiss and German national programs are historically known for the most closely guarded runner programs.
After a rival's crash, offer assistance before celebrating a position gain
If a competing sled crashes during a race and your team benefits from their withdrawal, the expected conduct is to check on the well-being of the affected crew before acknowledging the competitive gain. Visibly celebrating a rival's crash is considered extremely poor form throughout the sliding sports community.
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