Bobsledding vs. Luging

The concept behind luge and bobsledding is basically the same. Start at the top of a steep, curving ice track and slide down to the bottom in the fastest time possible. This is achieved by maximizing aerodynamics and steering smoothly around the twists of the track. The two sports are both Winter Olympic events and have several differences.

  1. History

    • Luging and bobsledding both became popular in Switzerland as recreational sports for rich vacationers. Bobsledding started in the late 19th century when two skeleton sleds were attached together and fitted with a steering system. The chassis found on today's bobsleds was added soon after to offer better protection, when the first bobsledding club opened in 1897. The luge dates back to the 16th century, but became popular in the 19th century when hotels started building luging tracks. The first track was built in Davos, Switzerland, in 1879 and hosted an international luge competition four years later.

    Sled Equipment

    • The bobsled consists of a fiberglass body over a solid frame with two long metal runners along the bottom to skate along the ice. The body has a long, cylindrical shape for good aerodynamics and a cockpit area for the competitors, with a piece of equipment called the pod. This is a fiberglass seat shaped to the competitors' bodies and fitted with metal runners on the underneath. The competitor is not enclosed on a luge as they are in a bobsled.

    Clothing

    • The basic clothing for both events is similar with streamlined bodysuits and protective helmets. Bobsledders have to start their slide by running and wear spiked running shoes to get a grip on the ice. Lugers start from a seated position on their pods, so they have spike-knuckled gloves which they use to push off and gain speed at the start. In luge, the competitors also wear zip up shoes which, when zipped, help to straighten the line of the foot to reduce wind resistance.

    Competitions

    • Bobsledding has three international competition classes: both male and female two-person sleds and male-only four-person sleds. Luge also has three events: male and female singles and the doubles event open to males, females and mixed partnerships. The luge doubles event has one partner lying down on top of the other. In both sports two to four runs down the ice are timed and the winner is decided by the fastest average time.