🏛️Official — IBSF
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Winter Sports
2 players
both
rink, bobsled
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...
Key Fact: Bobsled sleds are constructed from steel and fibreglass composites, varying in weight and specifications by event type.
Bobsleds are precision-engineered machines constructed primarily from steel and fibreglass composites. Key specifications vary by event: Monobob: Standardised IBSF-supplied sled, weight 162 kg (357 lb). All athletes use identical sleds to equalise equipment, making the event purely about driving ...
Each sled rides on four steel runners — two front (steerable) and two rear (fixed). Runner specifications are strictly controlled: Material: steel with a minimum Rockwell hardness of 63 HRC; Runner gauge (width between opposite runners): 67 cm (26.4 in); Runner temperature: must not exceed ice su...
Helmet: Full-face helmet mandatory for all crew members. Must conform to ECE 22.06, Snell SA2020, or equivalent standard approved by the IBSF.; Speed suit: Skin-tight aerodynamic racing suit. Maximum material thickness is regulated. No artificial aerodynamic aids, fins, or protrusions are permitt...
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.
Purpose-built artificially refrigerated ice tracks.
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.
Two-man/monobob: 1 pilot + 1 brakeman (two-man) or 1 pilot (monobob). Four-man: 1 pilot + 1 brakeman + 2 pushers.
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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