Skeleton Defined

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Skeleton sleds are built from steel and fiberglass and padded with foam and tape. There are only a few builders of skeleton sleds in the world.
	A steel frame bolted or welded together with a steel plate that supports the body. Around the steel frame a fiberglass pod is fitted for aerodynamics
	2 steel runners wirh grooves
	20 cm max sled height (with runner rock)

Skeleton racing is the oldest competitive sled racing sport in the world (ancestor to both bobsled and luge). Skeleton originated in 1892 when an Englishman built a new metal sled, whose skeletal shape became its namesake. Skeleton was purely recreational until debuting at the Olympic Winter Games in 1928 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. It wasn't until 20 years later, in 1948, when St. Moritz again hosted the Games, that skeleton made the Winter Games program.

In 1999, Skeleton was re-introduced into the 2002 Olympics as a full medal sport. The 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City were the first time in 52 years that skeleton was once again a full-medal Olympic sport. The journey continues in 2006 in Torino, Italy.

Skeleton is a unique sport in that it uses the same track and start as the bobsled, but athletes ride down the track headfirst on their sled instead of in a sleigh. Each skeleton athlete must wear a helmet with a chin guard. This helps prevent injury, as their faces and chins are only 1 inch from the ice surface when they race down the track at speeds exceeding 120km/80mph. The goal is to slide down the track in the fastest time, which means taking the quickest line down the track and avoiding hitting the walls. To begin, athletes sprint from the start block. At the 50-meter mark, they jump onto the sled, stomach down, with hands at their side and toes pointed. Athletes hold their toes only 2 inches from the ice surface as they slide down the track.

The keys to the skeleton race are the "push" and the competitor's driving technique. Athletes wear shoes with spikes so they can grip the ice at the start and have a fast, hard push. There is no steering mechanism on a skeleton sled, instead racers use their body weight to guide the sled down the track.

Skeleton sleds may weigh no more than 37 kilograms for women and 43 kilograms for men.

Each skeleton sled rides on a pair of runners that the athletes polish to increase speed. The runners are not sharp but are rounded and are about 1 inch in diameter. The fastest skeleton sleds have the best runners. The skeleton sled and a pair of runners may cost $5,000 or more.

Skeleton racing continues to fascinate those who have seen and heard about the sport.

1. Runners - Each skeleton sled has a pair of runners that the athletes polish to aid in speed. The runners are not sharp; in fact they are rounded and are about 1 inch in diameter.

2. Grips/Handles - There is no steering mechanism on a skeleton sled, instead they use their shoulders and at times their feet to help guide or steer the sled down the track. Competitors use the handles to help them push the sled at the start.

3. Helmet - Each skeleton athlete must wear a helmet with a chin guard. This helps prevent injury, as their faces/chins are only 1 inch from the ice surface when they race down the track.

4. Racing Suit - Tightly fitting bodysuit is made of elastic fabric.

5. Spikes - The athletes wear spikes that are very similar to the spikes worn by track and field athletes, so they can grip the ice and have a fast, hard push.

*Source: www.saltlake2002.com