Skeleton is a winter sport that is similar to bobsled and luge in how it is raced. Skeleton was part of the 1928 and 1948 winter Olympics in St. Moritz, and then was absent from the competition until its return in 2002 at Salt Lake City. Skeleton is a one-person sport that requires strength and skill and holds several potential dangers.
Features
Most tracks where the skeleton is raced use an artificially refrigerated surface and are about 1,500 meters long. There is no set type of track that is used for all races. Each track is unique and has its own characteristics and difficulty level. Racers wear helmets similar to alpine skiers and shoes like track spikes that give improved traction on the ice. Goggles and face shields are also part of the equipment.
The Start
Just like luge and bobsled, the start of a skeleton race is extremely important, and tenths of a second lost could mean losing the race. Skeleton racers use powerful legs to get the sled moving, and it typically covers the first 65 meters in around five seconds, at 40 km/hr or 24 mph.
The Race
As the race progresses, the skeleton racer must steer the sled through various turns of the course. He steers the sled by moving his arms and legs in certain ways, which affects the contact between the runners and the ice. Too much steering may cause the sled to skid and lose time, and too little could result in a crash. Top speeds during the race can reach 135 km/hr or almost 84 mph.
The Sled
The sled that is used to race skeleton is made of fiberglass mounted to a steel frame and is low to the ice. On the bottom, two highly polished steel runners help propel the sled down the track. All sleds are standardized under the International Bobsleigh and Tobogganing Federation.
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