Bobsledding is a winter sport that involves teams of either two or four, a bobsled, and ice. The ice has been carved into a curving, banking, downward track on which the bobsled glides. The bobsled starts out stationary and is pushed into motion by the team. Gravity then takes over and very high speeds are reached. To protect against the cold, the track and the high speeds, bobsled athletes wear safety equipment.
Helmets and Goggles
Helmets are necessary for all bobsled riders. The bobsled itself is shaped like an over-sized modified bullet. The nose is angled, the sides have short wings and the top is open. Helmets are mandatory because of the risk of head injury. As high speeds are reached, wind deflection away from the eyes is also an important consideration. To account for this, athletes incorporate goggles into their helmets.
Skintight Suits
As you are sprinting down the ice, pushing the sled before you jump in, you encounter air resistance. Any excess clothing or straps can cause a crash if they get snagged on your sled or on the side of the track. To protect against this as well as to decrease air resistance, athletes wear skintight suits.
Shoes
The start of bobsledding is done with your feet. With your hands clasped onto the bobsled, you begin by pushing the sled a certain distance before jumping in. As you sprint down the ice, slim studded shoes protect against slipping on the icy conditions of the track.
Gloves
Gloves provide two safety benefits in bobsledding: warmth and grip. At the start, grip the sled to push it before jumping in. The air outside is cold and the sled itself can get even colder. It is here that the gloves help with circulation and grip. Once you are in the sled heading down the track, the gloves will primarily be used to help you grip when steering or breaking the sled.
