Racing On Ice

The outer shell, or hull, cuts through the air to reduce drag.

- Andy Boyles

How do bobsleds go so fast?

Shooting down an ice-covered track, a bobsled can go faster than 80 miles an hour, and riders can feel forces five times stronger than the pull of gravity. A race can be won or lost by one-hundredth of a second.

How do bobsleds, or “bobs,” go faster than cars on a highway? The answer is a combination of athletics and science.

A Bigger Push: Leg Power

At the start of a race, the crew pushes their sled, building up speed before they jump in for the ride. For months before the race, the crew members have built up explosive power in their legs. That means doing a lot of squats, jumps, and sprints. It also means pushing heavy sleds!