IBSF

Maximum sled weight: 45 kg (99.2 lb) for men, 38 kg (83.8 lb) for women (Art. 10.14, 12.2); Maximum combined weight (sled + athlete with complete race equipment): 120 kg (264.6 lb) for men, 102 kg (224.9 lb) for women (Art. 10.14). Ballast may be added to reach the limit, but only fixed securely ...

A safety helmet is mandatory in all training and races; its shell and padding must cover the head and at least the ear area, and National Federations are responsible for safety-standard compliance (Art. 10.16.1); Helmets with spoilers or protruding edges are not allowed; the chin guard, visor and...

Speed suit: Skin-tight racing suit made of approved materials. Maximum material thickness regulated by IBSF. No aerodynamic aids, ribbing, or surface texturing beyond normal fabric weave.; Spike shoes: Purpose-built shoes with brush-form spikes on the sole for traction during the running start. S...

Runner temperature is measured with an IBSF-approved device before each heat (Art. 10.11); The runners mounted on the sled may be at most 4 °C warmer than the reference runner; if the reference runner is below -14 °C, the sled’s runners may be at most -10 °C (Art. 10.11); The reference runner is ...

Track length: 1200–1650 m (3937–5413 ft) from the skeleton/bobsled start to the finish; Vertical drop: 100–150 m (328–492 ft) from start to finish; Number of curves: 15–20 curves, including S-curves, hairpins, and high-banked turns

Artificially refrigerated: ammonia or Freon-based refrigeration coils embedded in the concrete track structure maintain ice at -5 °C to -8 °C (23–18 °F); Ice surface: 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) thick, built up by hand-spraying water layers and shaped by track crews; Track walls: raised concrete walls line...

Running start zone: Approximately 30–40 m (98–131 ft) of level or slightly downhill ice surface; Start block/handles at the beginning of the start zone for athletes to position their sled; Start timing: The start time is measured at the 50 m light beam (Art. 10.6.15)

Electronic timing beam at the finish line records time to 1/100th of a second; Deceleration zone (braking stretch) after the finish: minimum 100 m of uphill track for the sled to slow naturally; Foam padding on the terminal wall at the end of the braking stretch

Men’s and women’s skeleton are individual events. IBSF also runs a Skeleton Mixed Team of one woman and one man from the same National Federation, each sliding one heat; both must be registered and qualified for the individual races (Art. 4.7, 10.6.1); Athletes must hold a valid IBSF license and ...

Jury: IBSF Technical Delegate, Race Director, Jury President — oversee all aspects of competition; Start officials: Verify start procedure, confirm athlete and sled positioning, control start signal; Track officials: Positioned at key curves to monitor athlete passage and report incidents via radio