The winter sport skeleton is included into the list of the sled directions. It is presented at many competitions which are held according to accurately certain rules. It is important to understand a difference between a skeleton and bobsled as many confuse these types.
What is skeleton in sport?
The winter sports direction presented at the Olympic Games consists in descent on special sledge on a trench from ice. In competitions the winner is defined following the results of two or four arrivals. The athlete is on the mountain and as much as possible disperses skeleton, holding it for the handle. At achievement of the maximum speed he jumps on the sledge and lays down on them. Time begins to be considered when the athlete crosses a beam of a chronometer which is at distance in 15 m from start. Skeleton – winter sport which is life-threatening, and all because of big speeds.
History of emergence of skeleton
Primogenitors of sledge for skeleton are Indian sledge – tobbogan. There is also other version that ancestors of skeleton are the Norwegian sledge which were used by fishers. History of skeleton says that in 1882 Englishman Chayld created a modern design of sledge from metal. The sport appeared in 1905 and for the first time skeleton racers competed in Austria at competitions of bobsledders. The rules of this sport created by Swisses in 1926 were officially recognized.
Skeleton and bobsled – a difference
Between the specified winter sports the general is the ice route, the principles of running start and an essence of calculation of results. The bobsled and skeleton differ in such signs:
- In bobsled it is accepted to use a bean – sledge in the form of a bullet which are controlled by the crew including two or four persons. At skeleton other sledge about which design it will be told below.
- Finding out, than the bobsled differs from skeleton, it is worth specifying that differences are in equipment, so, bobleist use a visor and goggles, and skeleton racers – a visor and protection for a chin.
- The bobsled appeared skeleton much earlier therefore and it was included in the list of the Olympic Games the first.
Rules of skeleton
There is a certain list of rules which observance is obligatory for participation in competitions:
- Length of the route has to be at least 1200 m, and here rises should not exceed 12% of the general distance.
- Skeleton the Olympic sport which limits the athlete's weight on sledge so for men it makes 115 kg, and for women – 92 kg. As the more the weight of the sledge, the quicker they go therefore when there is not enough weight, athletes use different weighting compounds. Cargo has to fasten only to skeleton, but not the athlete.
- The athlete begins the movement after giving of a sound signal which reports that the route clean. It is important to begin the movement during 30 sec. after beep.
- The sport skeleton assumes braking after overcoming the finish for what when developing the route do rise at the end.
- Competitions include two descents in one day, and at the Olympic Games and the World Cups – four descents in two days.
Sledge for skeleton
Sledge is externally similar to a skeleton of the person, from where, most likely, and their name undertook. They are very heavy, and their weight for males is 43 kg, and for women's – 35 kg. The sport skeleton assumes use of sledge without steering and a brake. In front of and behind a design there are bumpers which protect the athlete from blow about walls of an ice trench. For production of sledge use high-quality fiber glass and steel.
Apply the polish leveling a surface and creating a film that is important for achievement of good speed to processing of a bottom. For runners use high-carbon steel which long time does not zatuplyatsya. They cannot be sharpened therefore careful grinding is carried out. It is necessary to sort how to operate skeleton, and so athletes do it, displacing the center of gravity and inclining a body, and still using boots with thorns. One more interesting moment – the cost of sledge which can reach $10 thousand.
The route for skeleton
For competitions ice routes of other types of luge are used. On the reinforced concrete basis establish a trench with an ice surface. At the bottom there can be no refrigeration unit necessary for maintenance of low temperature. Speed of descent of skeleton depends on quality of a surface which has to be ideally equal and constantly watch it. Just before arrival the route is watered with cold water, for ensuring ideal sliding. At the beginning of the route there are "rails" necessary for dispersal performance.
Skeleton speed
This sports direction is considered extreme as during descent the sledge gathers huge speed. The type of winter sports skeleton assumes that during dispersal the indicators reach 40 km/h, and here during overcoming the main site the speed averages 110 km/h. Practically all athletes competing at the international competitions exceed this threshold and at them average speed is 130 km/h. The maximum speed of skeleton which managed to be reached – 146, 4 km/h, and set this record Alexander Tretyakov.
Skeleton – equipment
It is impossible to tell that the clothes are thoroughly developed for the people doing skeleton. Any rules and restrictions concerning its choice no therefore athletes in the right to choose independently in what it is convenient to them to ride.
- Well proved overalls for skeleton of Adidas and other famous brands as producers use quality matters. It is important that the clothes were fitting and aerodynamic, but at the same time well warming.
- As for footwear, special models which are rigid and strong are developed for skeleton. Besides on them there are thorns intended for implementation and adjustment of turns and braking.
- For safety it is necessary to use a compact helmet which has protection for a chin.
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