Why is bobsled a sport

Most of the world calls the sport bobsleigh, though Americans know it as bobsled. But no matter what you call it, bobsledding is a fast-paced sport that relies on a precise combination of skill and physics.

In this article, you'll learn about the athletes that make up a bobsled team, their training and their equipment. You'll also learn about bobsled runs and the physics behind bobsledding. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close.

Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Today, the world's top teams train year-round and compete mostly on artificial ice tracks in sleek high-tech sleds made of fibreglass and steel. In , a four-man race took place at the first ever Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix. A two-man event was added at the Lake Placid Games in a format that has remained to the present. The first women's bobsleigh event—the two-woman bobsled —was held in In the new solo discipline, athletes use a bob that is identical to those of all their competitors, giving pride of place to the driving, with the value of the equipment having no bearing.

Skip to main content. Bobsleigh In association with. Olympic Debut. Even stranger, Kiriasis is threatening to keep the team's bobsled, which she says she legally owns and for which she's demanding payment, according to the BBC.

The Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation is disputing that she owns the sled. Thankfully, the folks at Red Stripe beer bought the team a new bobsled to save their Olympics dream. Honestly, the drama around all of this seems in the spirit of Cool Runnings.

Check out the full broadcast schedule here , but tune into NBC for the first primetime broadcast of the sport, the two-man event, from 8pm 30pm ET on February Think of us like an all-knowing friend watching along with you to answer all the important questions, like how heavy are Olympic medals. We'll explain everything from curling rules and figure skating scoring to what OAR means , why winning athletes are receiving stuffed animals and much, much more.

Skip to main content News. What is bobsledding anyway? What's the difference between two-man bobsled and four-man bobsled?

What's inside a bobsled? James Chrisman is a News Writer at Thrillist who believes making snow angels should be the marquee event of the Winter Games. Send news tips to news thrillist. Make Fun. Thrillist Serves. Enter your email address Subscribe.