Bobsleigh: Complete Guide to the Olympic Bobsleigh Discipline

What is the Bob?

The bob, also called bobsledding, is a winter speed sport in which a team of athletes speed down an icy slope in a vehicle called a "bobsled." The discipline is characterized by high speeds, team spirit and a high adrenaline rush.

Originating in late 19th century Switzerland, bobsledding is now one of the most spectacular sports of the Winter Olympic Games, with male, female and mixed categories.

History of the Bob

Bobsledding was officially born in 1888 in St. Moritz, when traditional sleds were modified to make them faster. The first artificial track was built right there in 1902.

• First Olympic appearance: 1924 in Chamonix, with the men's 4-man bobsled.
• Women's debut: occurred in Salt Lake City 2002 with the 2-woman bobsled.
• Female monobob bobsleigh: introduced at Beijing 2022.

Bob features

The Vehicle

The bob is an aerodynamic sled made of fiberglass and metal with steel skids. The main variants are:

• Bob at 2: two athletes - driver and brakeman.
• Bob at 4: four athletes - driver, two pushers and brakeman.
• Monobob: one athlete (women's category only from 2022).

Weight

• Bobsleigh to 2: max 390 kg with crew.
• Bobsleigh to 4: max 630 kg.
• Monobob: max 247 kg.

The Race

A bobsled competition takes place on icy slopes about 1200-1600 meters long, with 15-20 turns. The race consists of several heats (usually 2 or 4), and the team with the lowest overall time.

Main stages:

1. Initial thrust: critical for acceleration.
2. Guide: operated by the pilot, who uses two handles to direct the bobsleigh.
3. Braking: entrusted to the brakeman at the end of the stroke.

The Bob in Italy

Italy has a historical tradition in bobsledding, especially in the 1950s-60s and subsequent decades. Some big names:

• Eugene Monti: icon of world bobsledding, winner of 2 Olympic gold medals (Grenoble 1968) and 10 world titles. The "Fair Play" trophy bears his name.
• Lamberto Dalla Costa and Giacomo Conti: gold in the 2-man bobsled at the 1956 Cortina Olympics.
• Antonio Tartaglia and Günther Huber: gold in Nagano 1998 (bobsled to 2, ex aequo with Germany).

The Italian team regularly participates in World Cup, European, World and Olympic Games, with historical base in Cortina d'Ampezzo and current track at Cesana Pariol, Turin.

Bob internationally

World bobsledding powers include:

• Germany 🇩🇪: absolute ruler in recent editions.
• Switzerland 🇨🇭: home of bobsledding, historically strong.
• Canada and USA 🇨🇦🇺🇸: great investment and success.
• Jamaica 🇯🇲: famous for the historic participation in 1988, recounted in the film Cool Runnings.

Bobsled Requirements and Skills

• Explosiveness: important for the push phase.
• Coordination and strength: Every movement must be synchronized.
• Mental ability and quick reflexes: The pilot must react in fractions of a second.

Where is Bobsledding practiced?

Artificial slopes are mainly found in:

• Europe: Altenberg, Winterberg (Germany), St. Moritz (Switzerland), Igls (Austria), La Plagne (France).
• North America: Lake Placid, Whistler, Park City.
• Italy: Cesana Pariol (Turin 2006), no longer permanently active.

Upcoming appointments

• IBSF World Championships
• World Cup
• Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics 2026

Below we answer some questions asked by our readers

Is bobsledding dangerous?
Yes, it is one of the most dangerous winter sports. It requires physical preparation and high safety.

What is the maximum speed of a bobsled?
It can exceed 150 km/h on the most technical descents.

What muscles does a bobber use?
Mainly legs, core, back and arms for pushing and control.

Is it an Olympic sport even for young people?
Yes, there are youth circuits promoted by the IBSF (International Federation).

The bob is a spectacular sport, rich in history and fascination, combining strength, technique and speed. With Milan-Cortina 2026 just around the corner, Italy has a great opportunity to bring bobsled back into the limelight and introduce this extraordinary discipline to the general public.