IBSF

The Skeleton sled and athlete combined weight limits are 120 kg for men and 92 kg for women with ballast allowed to meet maximum sled weights.

Maximum sled weight: 43 kg (94.8 lb) for men, 35 kg (77.2 lb) for women; Maximum combined weight (sled + athlete): 120 kg (264.6 lb) for men, 92 kg (202.8 lb) for women. If an athlete is under the maximum combined weight, ballast may be added to the sled up to the sled weight limit.; Sled dimensi...

Chin-guard helmet mandatory, meeting IBSF specifications and EN 966 or equivalent certification; Must provide face and chin protection due to the head-first orientation; the athlete’s chin is approximately 5–10 cm above the ice surface; Visor or goggles may be used to protect against ice spray an...

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 metal spikes on the sole for traction during the running start. Maximu...

Runner temperature checked before each run using calibrated infrared thermometers; Runners must be within a specified temperature range relative to a control runner stored at track temperature (typically within 4 °C of the reference); Heating runners (to reduce friction on ice) is prohibited; run...

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

Races held on artificially refrigerated tracks (shared with bobsled and luge).

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: Electronic timing beam at 15 m marks the push start time; second beam at approximately 50 m re...

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