Bobsleigh is a winter Olympic sport, the essence of which is downhill on a controlled sled (bobsleigh) along an ice road.
Like most winter sports, bobsleigh originated in Switzerland. The mountainous, cold climate encouraged experimentation on snow and ice paths.
•The first countries to adopt Swiss fun were Germany and Austria. The first professional athletes from these countries entered international competitions with Switzerland already in 1908. Since then, other countries have begun to catch up.
The game first received its official name in 1897, when the first bobsleigh club was organized in the city of St. Moritz. In a short period of time, the game has become widespread in European resorts, in 1923 bobsleigh was recognized as a professional sport. Immediately, a sports Federation was created in this area and preparations began to include it in the program of the Olympic Games, which happened for the first time in 10 years in Lake Placid.
At the beginning of the track, the team must accelerate the bob as much as possible, holding on to it with their hand. When the maximum acceleration speed is reached, the whole team must quickly jump into the bob and take their places in it. It is allowed to change places in the bob while driving. The countdown starts from the moment the sled crosses the chronometer beam. The pusher and the braker are usually chosen from physically strong, powerful athletes. In bobsleigh competitions, each team makes 4 descents, the team with the minimum time after four races wins.
Equipment:
For athletes, two things are important: helmet and clothing.
•Suits must be made of special durable fabric that has a number of properties:
•Allows air to pass through.
•Keeps you warm.
•Not blown by the wind.
•Doesn't hinder movement.
Also here is needed a «bob».
•Bob (the so-called bobsled sleigh) is a cigar-shaped body for the crew. Inside the sleigh there are seats for the crew, a steering wheel and a brake lever. The bob has two pairs of runners. Fixed back and movable front, with its help, maneuvers are carried out. There is a brake rack between the axles.
Bobsleigh Championships:
•The Olympic Games are the most prestigious international bobsleigh competition, held every four years;
•World Bobsleigh Championship;
•European Bobsleigh Championship;
•Bobsleigh World Cup - a series of international bobsleigh competitions, according to the results of which athletes are rated.