Bobsledding – USA Bobsleighing 4 - men Bobsledding – USA Bobsleighing 4 - men By: Jack Hurley

Bobsledding Origins Started in Switzerland in Saint Moritz in 19 th century Bobsleds were first raced on icy grounds First competition was in 1898 with 5 person sleds Best known run – track is in Lake Placid, NY Early champions were American and British teams Switzerland’s Fritz Feierabend introduced (faster) sled with hardened steel in 1931.

Bobsledding Olympic History Olympic sport in men Chamonix, France Two men introduced in 1932 in Lake Placid, NY Two woman introduced in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah

Bobsledding The Track “bobrun” Constructed on hillsides or artificial slopes Look like tunnels without a roof Concrete covered with snow and ice Course measures 1200 to 1600 m length Drop in height along the track is 125 m Several 360° turns Some banks on sides are 6 m

Bobsledding Basic Guidelines Bobsled teams are made up of 4 people Weight limit is 1,389 pounds Team starts by running down Bobsleds are fiberglass and have brakes Look like rockets because of shape Speeds up to 118mph, but average 60-90mph Tracks are called “bobruns” 1 st guy steers, last guy brakes, two in middle lean forward then snap back – called “bobbing”

Bobsledding Basic Rules Races are decided by the elapsed time of the teams to go down the course One sled on the course at a time The “eye” transmits it’s impulse to start the clock at it crosses the start line Electric clock records the front of the sled crossing finish line – electric eye stops the clock Vernier scale is used to come up with time to the hundredth of a second 4 trips down course – combined score is winner Sled can overturn but all must remain inside the sled Maximum weight of sled is 507lbs

Bobsledding Famous Team Jamaica  1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta  Had sprinters for team which was a new approach  Didn’t finish but inspired all by walking their sled to finish line  Famous motion picture “Cool Runnings” after Jamaican team  1n 1984, in Lillehammer, Norway the Jamaican team stunned all by finishing 14 th – ahead of US!

Bobsledding 4 men Olympic Team Leading Medalist Switzerland –9 gold, 30 total Germany – 7 gold, 16 total United States – 6 gold, 18 total

Bobsledding USA guy to watch Steve Holcomb World Cup Gold Medalist