In the sport of Skeleton, the “High Line” refers to a specific tactical path a slider takes through a corner on the iced track.
Unlike driving a car on a road where you want to stay in the center, skeleton athletes use the centrifugal force of the corners to climb up the banked walls. Taking a high line means steering the sled toward the upper edge of the curve rather than staying low near the “floor” of the track.
1. The Mechanics of the High Line
When a slider enters a curve at speeds often exceeding 130 km/h, the shape of the track naturally wants to push them upward.
- The Entry: The athlete steers the sled (using subtle shoulder and knee pressure) to enter the curve late and high.
- The Apex: At the midpoint of the curve, the athlete is positioned high on the wall, sometimes nearly perpendicular to the ground.
- The Exit: By starting high, the slider can “dive” back down toward the bottom of the track as they exit the turn, converting that height into potential energy and then kinetic energy (speed).
2. Why Use a High Line?
There are two primary reasons an athlete chooses this path:
- Speed Generation: Gravity is a skeleton slider’s only engine. By climbing high on a wall and then “falling” back down into a straightaway, they gain a massive burst of acceleration.
- Setting Up the Next Turn: Tracks are a series of interconnected curves. Often, you must take a high line in “Curve 4” just to be at the correct angle to enter “Curve 5” without crashing.
3. The Risks: High Line vs. Low Line
Choosing your line is a constant balancing act between speed and safety.
| Feature | High Line | Low Line |
| Speed | Generally faster exit speeds due to the “downhill” gravity drop. | Slower, as you aren’t utilizing the full height of the track. |
| Distance | Longer. You are physically traveling a greater distance around the arc. | Shorter. It is the most direct path through the turn. |
| Risk | High. If you go too high, you can “climb out” of the track or lose control on the exit, leading to a crash. | Low. Safer and more stable, but usually results in a slower time. |
4. “Late” vs. “Early” Lines
The high line is often associated with a “late entry.” If an athlete enters the curve too early, they might hit the wall too soon and lose momentum. A perfect high line requires waiting until the last possible second to steer upward, allowing the sled to “track” smoothly along the ice without skidding.
Pro Tip: In skeleton, “smooth is fast.” If you see an athlete’s sled “skidding” or “drifting” (sideways movement) while they are high on the wall, they are losing friction and speed. A perfect high line looks like the sled is on rails.