Skeleton Sled (Winter Sport) Size Guide report
Skeleton, also known as a horizontal sled, or down sled, is a winter sport that uses a sled with only inertia to slide on the ice track quickly; the track is specially constructed along the hillside. In the 19th century, skeleton sport emerged in Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Germany, and the United States. In 1928, the second Winter Olympics were held in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and Switzerland received approval from the International Olympic Committee to include the skeleton sport in the Winter Olympics.
The skeleton sled has no steering gear and brake device, and the bottom is only composed of a lead-weighted skeleton and two fixed tubular steel blades. Due to the extremely fast speed, the athletes need to slide with their heads forward, which is extremely dangerous; this winter sport was once canceled in the Winter Olympics.
The highest organization of the skeleton sport is the International Bobsleigh and Tobogganing Federation (FIBT), established in Paris in November 1923 and headquartered in Milan, Italy. The following article will focus on the description of the skeleton sled and the track's design and dimensions.
Skeleton Sled and Track Size Guide
The skeleton athlete needs to lean flat on the sled and glide in a prone position at a top speed of 130 km/h. The power of the sled sliding comes from the athlete's thrust and gravity, and the athlete relies on the movement of the body to control the direction. At first glance, you might think the skeleton is similar to the other two winter sports, with athletes sliding down a long, winding track at high speed.
Usually, the skeleton shares the same track with mono-bobsleigh and double-luge. These three sports all require the athlete to have the ability to achieve a maximum initial speed, as well as the ability to flexibly control the limbs to maintain the balance of the body and apparatus to adapt to the continuous increase in speed. The following details about the skeleton sled and track size will make you better understand the rules.
Skeleton Sled Design and Size
- The bottom of the skeleton sled is composed of a ski frame and 2 fixed skids. The size of the sled varies greatly, ranging from 0.8 to 1.2 meters in length and 0.08 to 0.2 meters in thickness.
- Skeleton competitions have strict requirements on the quality of sleds and athletes. The mass of men's sleds is limited to 43 kg, and the total mass of sleds and athletes cannot exceed 115 kg. If the total weight of the sled and the competitor exceeds 115 kg, the weight of the skeleton sled must not be less than 33 kg.
- The mass of the women's sled shall not exceed 35 kg, and the total mass of the athlete and the sled shall not exceed 92 kg. If the total weight exceeds 92 kg, the sled must not be less than 29 kg.
| Skeleton Sled Size | For Men | For Women |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 0.8-1.2 m | 0.8-1.2 m |
| Thickness | 0.08-0.2 m | 0.08-0.2 m |
| Weight | up to 43 kg | up to 35 kg |
Dimensions of the Skeleton Track
The race track of the skeleton is 1200-1650 meters long, the height difference between the starting point and the end point is 100-150 meters, the average inclination is 8%-15%, and the radius of the curve is at least 20 meters. The track is made of concrete and wood, with a width of 1.4m, and there are retaining walls with a height of 1.4m on the inside and 2-7m on the outside. The track should have S-shaped curves, straight lines, horseshoes, and other curves, with as many as 14 to 22 curves.
| Track Size | |
|---|---|
| Length | 1200-1650 m |
| Width | 1.4m |
| Height Difference | 100-150 m |
| Average Inclination | 8%-15% |
General Rules Of Skeleton
The skeleton competition is divided into two events: men's competition and women's competition. The starting action of the steel frame snowmobile is mainly composed of three parts: starting, boarding, and competition. Because the game's speed is too fast, the results need to be accurate to 0.01 seconds. You should know the following basic rules when watching a skeleton game.
- Athletes should wait in an orderly line at the starting point before departure; when the referee shows the start signal, the athletes will have a distance of 50 meters to run and push to accelerate the sled. The starting process from the start to boarding the sled must be completed within 30 seconds.
- The rule stipulates that the athletes can only perform in a prone position during the competition. The power comes from the athlete's gravity and thrust on the sled; the athlete's body movement realizes the direction control. During the entire competition, athletes cannot resort to external objects or forces.
- The skeleton sled has no braking system, and the maximum speed during the competition exceeds 150 km/h. It is not a foul for the athlete to fall off the sled on the track, but when passing the finish line, the athlete must be on the sled to be considered a valid result.
Final Words
As its name shows, the skeleton is the terrifying Winter Olympics event and one of the most watched and exciting events. Athletes gliding through these curves are the focus of the event. When an athlete is sliding and turning, they need to adjust the center of gravity and angle to pass in the shortest time while maintaining a smooth momentum of speed and descent. The average speed can reach 120-135 km/h.
