🏛️Official — IBSF
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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.
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.
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.
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...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that bobsleds are made entirely of steel due to their official description as precision-engineered machines constructed from steel and composites. However, they overlook the fibreglass component, leading to misunderstandings about the material composition and potentially affecting perceptions of the sled's durability or design choices.
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...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that only the front runners are steerable, thinking it's a way to control the sled's direction, but actually, all four runners can be adjusted for steering, with the front ones being more maneuverable due to their position closer to the driver. This oversight leads to debates about how much each runner contributes to turning and stability during runs.
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...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that bobsleds can be made of any material as long as they meet weight requirements, which leads them to misunderstand that steel and fibreglass are specifically stipulated materials for these machines. The confusion arises because the rule emphasizes precision engineering and maximum weights without clarifying that only certain materials like steel and composites are allowed.
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.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that bobsled tracks are naturally frozen ice channels like those in curling, which leads them to misunderstand how they're constructed. The actual reality is that these tracks use reinforced concrete for durability and embedded refrigeration systems with ammonia or brine to keep the ice at a consistent temperature year-round.
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.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the start zone's ice is perfectly smooth for optimal speed, forgetting about the spiked shoes' need for traction. In reality, the surface is icy but has those tiny imperfections designed to give the push-starters just enough grip to get a strong initial burst of speed before hitting the downhill section.
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.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the 3.3 Finish Area rule is about having exactly 20 active tracks globally. However, they misunderstand it to mean there are precisely 20 operational bobsled facilities worldwide. In reality, this rule refers to the number of active tracks where sliding events take place for competitions, not the total count of bobsled facilities.
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.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that all these notable Olympic tracks are exclusively for bobsled events, forgetting that they serve multiple sliding sports like luge and skeleton as well. The confusion arises because these venues are so versatile, accommodating different disciplines under one roof, which can lead to scheduling conflicts or misinterpretations about their exclusive use for bobsled.
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...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that mixed-nationality crews are completely banned in all bobsled competitions due to a misunderstanding of the rule, when in fact they're only prohibited at Olympic and World Championship levels, with lower-tier events still allowing such diversity.
Only athletes of the same nation, holding a valid IBSF license and registered for the competition, may form a team (Art. 10.1).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that mixed-nationality crews are universally banned in all bobsled competitions due to a misunderstanding of the rule's tiered application - they actually allow them in lower-level IBSF events but mandate same-nation crews for Olympic and World Championship events, leading to confusion about which level of competition is affected.
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...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that both crew members can be penalized for a technical error during their run, which is incorrect according to the rule. Actually, only the pilot, as stated in 4.3, is considered the active controller and thus solely responsible for penalties related to sled control. This oversight frequently leads to disputes among officials and teams about who should face penalties.
In principle the Olympic Winter Games and World Championships are held over 4 heats; Continental Championships, Junior World Championships and all other official IBSF races, including the World Cup, are held over 2 heats (Art. 10.6.1).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that only one person from each team pushes during the push start, which leads to arguments about whether a second pusher is allowed or if it's just one crew member per sled. However, the actual rule allows for up to two people to push, with the second pusher taking over when the first gets tired, ensuring maximum speed and fairness in competition.
The push start is one of the most critical phases of a bobsled run. Crew members sprint alongside the sled for approximately 50 m on the ice surface, pushing the sled to build maximum velocity before loading in sequence.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the speed of the push start is solely determined by the athletes' sprinting ability, forgetting that the ice surface conditions significantly impact how fast they can propel the sled. The confusion arises because they overlook the crucial role of the ice's condition and texture in determining the initial velocity.
Different curve types demand different techniques. In a high-banked Kreisel (360-degree loop), the pilot must commit early to a high line and maintain steady pressure.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that in a high-banked Kreisel curve, it's enough for the driver just to commit early to a line - they mistakenly believe maintaining steady pressure is optional. In reality, the official says steering technique must be precise and consistent throughout the maneuver to ensure safety and optimal performance.
The brakeman operates a harrow-type brake between the rear runners; only harrow-type brakes are allowed (Art. 12.2.8.2).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that once a bobsled crosses the finish line, they can immediately slam on their brakes to slow down, but actually, the rule strictly states that the brake must only be applied after crossing the finish line and within the designated braking zone. This creates confusion because many athletes believe they have more flexibility in when they can use their braking system.
The monobob event, introduced for the 2022 Beijing Olympics, uses the IBSF standardised Monobob provided by iXent (Art. 10.8.1).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the monobob sleds are just a basic version of what's used in other bobsled events, but actually, they're specifically designed to be as identical as possible across all pilots, which is meant to level the playing field by removing equipment technology advantages seen in two-man and four-man competitions.
Before the Olympic Winter Games and World Championships, 6 official training heats are offered (Art. 10.1.1).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that training runs are solely for learning track geometry and building confidence, forgetting that they're also used to fine-tune equipment, test different steering lines, and get accustomed to the bobsled's aerodynamics under various conditions, which can lead to misunderstandings about their true purpose and scope.
First-heat start numbers come from the IBSF ranking lists; at the Olympic Winter Games the 10 best-placed pilots present choose numbers 1–10 and the rest start from 11 in ranking order (Art. 10.6.3).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the start order for each run is based solely on the IBSF World Rankings, forgetting that after the first run, it flips to a descending order of current standings. This reversal causes confusion as they expect crews to maintain their initial position throughout all runs, leading to disputes and arguments about why their team isn't starting at the front or back every time.
The Jury, in consultation with the Technical Delegate, the Race Director and the Chief of Track, can interrupt or stop the race for reasons including track damage and weather (Art. 10.6.10).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that weather is only a reason for race cancellation if it's extreme conditions like thunderstorms or snowfall, but in bobsled, even mild rain can cause ice to melt too quickly, leading to dangerous and unpredictable track conditions, thus triggering the rule about interrupting the race due to weather.
All times are recorded electronically to 1/100th of a second. The final ranking is determined by the cumulative total time across all completed runs.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that each run's time is simply added together for the overall ranking, which isn't accurate according to the rule. The confusion arises because they overlook the fact that all times are recorded electronically to 1/100th of a second and that it’s the cumulative total across all completed runs that determines the final ranking.
In addition to start and finish times, four intermediate times are recorded along the track, the first being the 50 m start time (Art. 10.6.14).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that split times are just for analysts to measure performance and don't matter much in races, but actually, they're crucial for spectators who use them to track how quickly a team is passing through checkpoints, adding excitement and engagement during broadcasts.
Times equal to 1/100th of a second are given the same rank; ties are not broken (Art. 10.6.15).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if two bobsled crews finish in a tie, they automatically get silver medals together. But actually, the rule states they share the same placement but receive identical medals - meaning only one crew gets to wear the gold. It's a subtle distinction that trips up many observers and commentators.
In the IBSF World Cup circuit, crews earn points based on finishing position (1st = 225 points, 2nd = 210, 3rd = 200, descending) (Art. 11.3).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that a bobsled team's cumulative World Cup points are simply added together for overall season standings without considering their placement in each race. But actually, the system awards more points to higher finishes (1st place gets 225 points), so teams can't just rely on accumulating total points; they need to perform well consistently across all races.
Runner temperature violation: a second reading above the limit over the reference runner means immediate disqualification (Art. 10.11).; Rules violation found in technical inspection: automatic disqualification from the competition concerned (Art. 10.9).; Runner polishing: only with IBSF-provided...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that only blatant cheating like stealing equipment would lead to penalties under 7.1. However, the rule is broader, encompassing unsportsmanlike conduct like interfering with another team's equipment or failing to follow official instructions during a race, which can result in fines, suspension, or referral for more severe offenses.
Start window: after the track is cleared, the team must activate the timing within 60 seconds (Art. 10.6.8).; Assistance: help from a third party during the start procedure is prohibited (Art. 10.6.8).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that starting early is just a minor delay, when in fact it's considered unsportsmanlike conduct if it interferes with another crew’s equipment or fails to follow official instructions, leading to serious penalties like fines and suspension. They overlook how crucial the timing of starts is for maintaining race integrity and safety.
Sleds must meet both the minimum sled weight and the maximum weight with crew in Art. 10.14; the observed weight is registered in the Weight Protocol, and no third-party assistance is allowed during weighing (Art. 10.14).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that only the bobsled team members are weighed for compliance with the weight rules, forgetting that their sled must also meet the minimum and maximum weight requirements as stated in Art. 10.14. The confusion arises because they overlook the need to check both the crew and the sled's combined weight meticulously during pre-race inspections.
A protest must be made verbally to the Jury immediately, or at most 5 minutes after the heat in which the incident happened, and its grounds submitted in writing no more than 20 minutes after the race ends; without the verbal protest no written protest is accepted (Art. 10.19); Only the team capt...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that they have unlimited time to submit their protest in writing after a race, misunderstanding that it must be submitted within 20 minutes from when the race ends. They also think verbal protests are optional, failing to realize that without a timely verbal protest, no written protest is accepted at all.
Unsportsmanlike conduct, interference with another crew's equipment, or failure to comply with official instructions may result in fines, suspension from subsequent races, or referral to the IBSF Disciplinary Commission.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the "7.5 Behavioural Infractions" rule only applies to verbal arguments between bobsledders during a race, but actually it covers a much broader range of issues including physical interference and failure to follow official instructions or equipment guidelines, leading to confusion about when exactly these infractions occur.
Track walls are constructed of reinforced concrete with smooth ice surfaces to guide the sled. High-speed curves are profiled with steep banking to contain sleds under high G-forces.; Overflow lips (raised edges) at the top of curve walls prevent sleds from leaving the track.; Speed-reducing chic...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that having a sled-mounted stretcher is just for emergencies like crashes, but they overlook its use in safely extracting injured athletes from their sleds post-race, which can occur even if there are no accidents. The confusion arises because this rule emphasizes safety beyond just crash scenarios, aiming to cover all potential risks during the bobsled run.
Full-face helmets are mandatory for all crew members during training and competition.; Each pilot must complete two training heats per discipline without accident before racing (Art. 10.1).; Novice pilots must progress through lower-level IBSF licensing before competing at World Cup or Olympic le...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the medical team stationed at the finish area is only there for immediate emergency care in case of a crash, but they overlook the fact that this team also has a sled-mounted stretcher capable of moving injured athletes off the track quickly and safely, which is crucial for saving time and reducing stress on the athlete.
A medical team with sled-mounted stretcher capability must be stationed at the finish area. Additional medical spotters are positioned at high-risk curve locations.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that just having a medical team with a sled-mounted stretcher is enough, forgetting they also need additional spotters at high-risk curve locations. The confusion arises because the full scope of what constitutes "medical provisions" isn't always clear to all teams and officials.
If a sled overturns during a run, crew members must remain inside the sled (or as close as possible) and allow the sled to slide to a natural stop. Standing or attempting to exit a moving overturned sled is extremely dangerous.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if their sled tips over during a run, they can simply jump out of it safely since it's sliding down a track at high speeds. But the rule clearly states crew members must remain inside until the sled comes to a natural stop, emphasizing safety above all else and highlighting how dangerous it is to attempt an exit while in motion.
Ambient temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation are continuously monitored by track officials. Ice surface temperature is measured at multiple points along the track and recorded before each run.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that environmental conditions are only monitored before a run starts, forgetting that they're continuously checked throughout the entire race. This oversight leads to misunderstandings about when and how these factors are actually being adjusted or considered in real-time by track officials.
Pre-race and post-race sled inspections are conducted by IBSF technical delegates. Inspections include verifying sled weight (with and without crew), measuring runner temperature with a contact sensor that stays on the runner (Art.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that only technical delegates inspect sleds pre-race, forgetting that post-race inspections are just as crucial for ensuring fair play and athlete safety. The confusion arises because they might overlook the importance of checking runner temperature and profile after a race to ensure no tampering occurred.
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...
Why people argue about this
People often assume that bobsleds are made entirely of steel due to their official description as precision-engineered machines constructed primarily from steel and fibreglass composites. However, they misunderstand that fibreglass is just a composite material used alongside steel for its strength and durability, not an alternative to it.
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.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that bobsled tracks are naturally frozen ice channels like those in curling, which leads them to misunderstand how they're actually constructed. The confusion arises because they overlook the fact that these tracks use reinforced concrete and artificial refrigeration systems to maintain a consistently icy surface year-round.
Only athletes of the same nation, holding a valid IBSF license and registered for the competition, may form a team (Art. 10.1).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that mixed-nationality crews are completely banned in all IBSF competitions, which isn't true - they're just allowed at lower tiers, not Olympic or World Championship events where the rule strictly mandates same-nation crew members.
In principle the Olympic Winter Games and World Championships are held over 4 heats; Continental Championships, Junior World Championships and all other official IBSF races, including the World Cup, are held over 2 heats (Art. 10.6.1).
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the faster their push start is, the better their overall time will be, leading them to argue about pushing as hard as possible without considering the risk of losing control or damaging equipment. However, the actual confusion arises because the official rule emphasizes safety and maintaining control over maximizing speed for a more efficient push start.
All times are recorded electronically to 1/100th of a second. The final ranking is determined by the cumulative total time across all completed runs.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that a single run's time is what matters most in bobsled scoring, forgetting that it’s the total accumulated over all runs completed by each team that decides the final ranking, which can lead to misunderstandings about individual run performances.
Unsportsmanlike conduct, interference with another crew's equipment, or failure to comply with official instructions may result in fines, suspension from subsequent races, or referral to the IBSF Disciplinary Commission.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if they accidentally touch another bobsled's equipment during a race, it’s just an accident and won’t result in penalties. However, the rule clearly states that even unintentional interference can lead to fines or suspension, making them realize the severity of their actions and potential consequences.
A medical team with sled-mounted stretcher capability must be stationed at the finish area. Additional medical spotters are positioned at high-risk curve locations.
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the medical team with a sled-mounted stretcher is only for emergencies like crashes, when in fact, they're there to provide immediate care and monitor riders' health throughout their entire run, which can be crucial even if no accidents occur. The confusion arises because this rule emphasizes continuous medical support over just emergency response.