Section 2: Equipment
2.1 The Sled
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); maximum with athlete and equipment 248.5 kg (548 lb) (Art. 10.14). All athletes use identical sleds, making the event about driving skill and athleticism.
- Two-man/two-woman: Minimum sled weight (with runners, without crew) 170 kg (375 lb). Maximum weight with crew, runners and equipment 390.5 kg (861 lb) for 2-man and 330.5 kg (729 lb) for 2-woman (Art. 10.14). Axle base 1,690 mm ± 30 mm (Art. 12.1.3.1.2).
- Four-man: Minimum sled weight (with runners, without crew) 210 kg (463 lb). Maximum weight with crew, runners and equipment 631 kg (1,391 lb) (Art. 10.14). Axle base 2,130 mm ± 30 mm (Art. 12.1.3.1.2).
Teams below the maximum may add ballast, which must be fixed securely to the sled; in Women’s Monobob only the additional weights provided by iXent are permitted (Art. 10.14).
2.2 Runners
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 runners): 670 mm ± 1 mm (26.4 in), the same front and rear (Art. 12.1.3.1.1)
- Runner temperature: the runners on the sled may be at most 4°C (7.2°F) warmer than the IBSF reference runner; if the reference runner is below -14°C, the sled’s runners may be at most -10°C. If a reading is over the limit, both are measured again before the ice-bed, and a second reading over the limit means immediate disqualification (Art. 10.11).
- Runner profile: standardised profile templates are provided by IBSF; custom grinding is permitted within tolerance.
2.3 Crew Equipment
- 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).
- Start shoes: Brush-form spikes, at least 250 per shoe, no more than 1.5 mm in diameter and 5 mm (0.2 in) long (Art. 10.16.2).
- Protection vest: All athletes except the pilot must wear a protection vest in training and competition; failure to do so means disqualification (Art. 10.16.4).