As we close out our Winter Olympics theme week, there’s no better way to finish than with one of the most exhilarating events on ice: bobsledding. Like the luge we explored earlier this week, bobsledding’s origins trace back to a Swiss hotelier’s ambitious gamble on winter tourism.
The Birth of a Sport
In the mid-19th century, Caspar Badrutt faced a problem familiar to many seasonal business owners: his hotel in the mineral spa town of St. Moritz, Switzerland sat empty during the harsh winter months. Rather than accept this reality, Badrutt made a bold proposition to his wealthy English regulars. If they stayed through the entire winter, he promised to keep them thoroughly entertained with fine food, flowing alcohol, and novel activities.
The gambit worked brilliantly. Within just a few years, wintering at Badrutt’s hotel became the height of fashion among Victorian Britain’s elite, establishing the concept of “winter resorting” that would eventually spawn an entire global industry.
When Sleds Met Innovation
In the early 1870s, some adventurous English guests began appropriating boys’ delivery sleds for their own recreational purposes. They quickly discovered the thrill of careening down St. Moritz’s icy lanes and alleyways—as did the unfortunate pedestrians they occasionally collided with along the way.
These crashes proved to be the mother of invention. The need for better control led to the development of “steering means,” allowing riders to navigate their sleds with precision. This breakthrough enabled longer runs through town and, crucially, higher speeds around curves. Recognizing the sport’s potential, Badrutt eventually constructed a dedicated natural-ice run outside the town. Formal competitions commenced there in 1884.
The sport’s distinctive name comes from an early racing technique: competitors discovered they could gain speed by bobbing back and forth inside their sleds, a practice that gave bobsledding its enduring moniker.
The Modern Marvel
Today’s bobsleds bear little resemblance to those modified delivery sleds. These engineering marvels combine steel and fiberglass construction with sophisticated aerodynamics. Each sled features four runners—the front pair for steering, the rear pair fixed—and a braking system used exclusively after crossing the finish line.
The speeds are nothing short of breathtaking. Modern bobsleds can exceed 118 mph, subjecting athletes to forces up to 5g. This extreme performance has earned the sport its apt nickname: “Formula One on Ice.”
Because physics dictates that heavier sleds accelerate faster, strict weight limits keep competition fair: 1,390 pounds for four-man sleds, 860 pounds for two-man, and 750 pounds for two-woman sleds.
The Perfect Crew
A four-person bobsled team is a study in specialized athleticism. The pilot navigates the sled along the optimal “line” that maximizes speed, requiring impeccable timing and finesse. The brakeman and two pushers bring raw power and explosive speed, essential for launching the sled in a crucial six-second anaerobic sprint at the start.
Many bobsledders are recruited from track sprinting and American football—sports that develop the incredible speed and power needed for those critical opening seconds. Once the sled is racing down the track, there’s no touching the brakes until after the finish line.
Olympic Tradition
Bobsledding has been a Winter Olympics fixture since the very first Games in Chamonix in 1924. The sport expanded in 2002 with the addition of women’s two-person bobsled, and most recently added women’s monobob (a one-person event) at the Beijing Games.
Germany, Switzerland, and the United States have historically dominated Olympic bobsledding, with Germany holding the all-time medal count lead.
Cool Runnings: Jamaica’s Inspiring Journey
Perhaps no bobsled story captures the imagination quite like Jamaica’s. In 1988, four Jamaican sprinters—having never experienced snow or ice—defied all expectations by competing in Calgary. Their remarkable journey was later immortalized in the beloved 1993 film “Cool Runnings,” directed by Jon Turteltaub.
Team Jamaica returns to Olympic bobsled competition this year, fielding entries in women’s monobob, men’s two-man, and men’s four-man events. While the team has never claimed an Olympic medal (their best finish remains 14th place in the 1994 four-man event), they’ve achieved success in other championships over the years.
This year’s squad is particularly promising. In November, they made history by winning gold at the North American Cup for the very first time—a breakthrough that has energized hopes for a strong Olympic showing.
Don’t Miss It
Bobsled events kick off this weekend and continue into next week. Whether you’re watching for the athletic prowess, the engineering excellence, or the human stories of determination and triumph, bobsledding offers some of the most thrilling moments the Winter Olympics has to offer.
From Victorian winter escapades to modern Olympic glory, bobsledding embodies the spirit of innovation, courage, and speed that makes the Winter Games so captivating. It’s the perfect way to close out our theme week—fast, fierce, and unforgettable.