In bobsleigh, a Two-Man Bobsleigh refers to both a specific racing event and the physical sled used by a team of two athletes. It combines explosive power with high-speed steering.
The Team
The team consists of two specific roles:
- The Pilot: Sits in the front. They steer the sled using two D-rings connected to a pulley system. Their job is to find the fastest “line” down the icy track.
- The Brakeman: Sits in the back. They provide massive power during the initial push and pull the brake lever after the sled crosses the finish line.
How the Race Works
- The Push: Both athletes sprint while pushing the sled for about 50 meters. This explosive start determines the sled’s potential speed.
- The Load: The pilot jumps in first, followed quickly by the brakeman.
- The Drive: Gravity pulls the sled down the track. The team reaches speeds of over 130 km/h while experiencing heavy G-forces in the turns.
- The Finish: Once they cross the line, the brakeman pulls the metal saw-tooth brake to stop the sled safely on the uphill section of the track.
The Equipment
The sled is a high-tech vehicle made of fiberglass and steel.
- Weight: In international competition, the sled and crew together cannot exceed 390 kg.
- Runners: The sled slides on four highly polished steel runners. The front two runners turn when the pilot moves the steering strings.