Introduction to bobsleigh
Bobsleigh is a winter sport that consists of descending an ice slope in the fastest way, twisting and narrowing on board a sliding vehicle called sleigh. This sport is done with a team of 2 or 4 people called bobbers. The descent is timed and the fastest team is declared winner. Sliding down the slope in full speed in an aerodynamic vehicle is spectacular. To reach a speed near 120 km/h, the starting impulse at the top plays a determining role. Also known as bobsled, this sport is represented at the Winter Olympics since 1924 and is accessible for people with limited mobility.
Essential perquisites for bobsleigh
Like ski, bobsleigh consists of descending a slope. At first sight it doesn’t seem complex or exhausting. The only difficulty consists of mastering the speed of the sleigh and controlling its orientation in order to take turns with success. However this is not nothing. Bobsleigh is an extreme sport and cannot be improvised. Like a beginner skier cannot launch himself on a black slope, 2 novices cannot practice bobsleigh. To start, a former guide or an accompanist or good sportsman needs to take part of your team to start you off. Bobsleigh is dangerous. One driving error could upturn the sleigh and the bobbers don’t have another choice than to hit the rest of the track with their heads upside down.
An extreme and physical sport
To practice bobsleigh a good physical condition is necessary. Indeed, everything starts with an impulse at the start of the slope in order to speed up. For a team of 2, the sleigh is 2,70m long and weighs 390 kg maximum (crew included). For a team of 4, the sleigh is longer (3,35m) and heavier (390 kg including crew). A certain muscular strength is essential. To absorb centrifugal power and centripetal felt in turns, training is also strongly recommended. Practicing this sport is obviously forbidden for pregnant women.
Necessary equipment
An ultimate extreme sport, protection is essential to practice bobsleigh. A helmet protects the head against shocks so it is obligatory same for neck protection to protect the cervical.
What are the rates?
Specific reservations are proposed to practice bobsleigh. Different formulas are offered according to type of sleigh and the number of participants. So, for the bob raft (self-guided vehicle and auto-brake for 4 people), it varies between €40-50 per person. Minimum age is 14 years with parental authorization or the presence of a responsible adult. For a descent in a half-sleeping position in a speed luge (vehicle between luge and sleigh) that goes around 90 km/h, costs around €110 per person. The minimum age is 16 years. For a descent of 120 km/h in bob racing behind an experienced pilot costs around €120-130 per person. This sport is not recommended for people with cardiac, vascular, or vertebral problems.
La Plagne has the only bobsleigh slope
It is useless to search for different ski resorts in France because the only bobsleigh track can be found in La Plagne in Savoy. This slope is 1,5 km and dates back to 1992 and was built to host the Winter Olympics in Albertville. Its 19 turns need 90 seconds which will remain engraved forever to all those who dared.
