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Bobsledding is a winter sport in which teams make timed runs down narrow, twisting, banked purpose-built iced tracks in a gravity-powered, steerable sled. Teams usually consist of 2 or 4 people.

Popularity
Mainly popular in European countries and the USA. Switzerland and Germany are the most successful nations in competition terms.

Location
The opportunity for bobsledding in the UK is very limited maily because of the lack of tracks. Ideally, a modern track should be 1200 to 1300 metres long and have at least fifteen curves. Speeds may exceed 80mph

Age
The British Bobsleigh Association has a national talent identifiication program for age-groups from 9 years to 18 years, with an Open Category for Elite Athletes as well.

Ability
The ability to push a sled on ice that is the overriding quality that is required. It has been proven many times that the fastest sprinter may not be the fast pusher. Also, being just big and strong may not be enough.

Description
A bobsled crew is made up of a pilot and a brakeman in a ywo-man crew. In a four-man crew, there is the addition of two pushers. Athletes are selected based on their speed and strength. These are both necessary to push the sled to a competitive initial speed at the start of the race before all the crew enter the sled for the descent. Pilots must have the skill to drive the sled along the best possible line. The aim is to achieve the fastest speed, usually over two runs ro a combined time.

Dedication
Apart from the driver the members of a bobsled crew exist to provide propulsion and initial acceleration to the sled over the first few seconds of a run. This usually means that competitors are fast, powerful and fit enough to withstand the rigours of the sport. The competitive season runs through the winter months involving much travelling, training, practice and competing in cold conditions.

Potential
Potential to go on to competitions in European, World, World Cup, and Olympic championships

Closely Related Activities
luge 834, tobogganing 608, Skeleton 548, Sledging (Sleighing and sleding) 833,

Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.

Energy

Arms

Legs

Sight

Hearing

Speech

Learning

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