The modern sport of skeleton is included in the program of the Olympic Games and in our time continues to develop actively. He is in the descent of the athlete from the ice trough lying on the sled. The main thing in the game is the speed of the ride, the winner is the fastest one.
What is a skeleton in sports?
Official skeleton competitions have been held not so long ago. North American Indians in the middle of the nineteenth century opened dangerous descents from the Alps. Further skating developed as follows:
- 1892 - tried sled skeletons on the bobsled.
- 1913 - the emergence of the association of skeleton at the international level.
- 1928 - the first official competition at the Olympic Games.
- 1968 - the opening of the first artificial route.
- 1982 - the first world championship and immediately after him included in the list of Olympic competitions.
It is believed that skeleton is a dangerous sport. Acceleration to high speed sometimes leads to unpleasant consequences. Therefore, special trails in the form of a gutter are designed to make it more difficult for an athlete to overturn. The weight of skiers must not exceed these limits:
- men - 115 kg;
- women - 92 kg.
Athletes can increase weight with the help of ballasts, but some believe that they interfere with comfortable skating. A person in a sleigh needs to quickly pick up a speed of more than 100 km / h, and strong differences affect the outcome of the action. In the first half of the track the athlete is gaining speed, the rest of the time trying to maintain it and keep the balance. The victory is awarded on the basis of several races of odd number.
Skeleton and bobsled - difference
Two completely different kinds of sport bobsled and skeleton are the same in the following: they are supervised by one organization and for them one track is prepared. Olympic disciplines are similar in style, athletes are riding a sleigh, otherwise they are very different. The sport of skeleton has its own characteristics.
- The design of the sleigh looks like a skeleton, hence the name. A flat frame is fastened on two skates, which slide along the chute.
- The athlete, after the dispersal, completely lays down on the sleigh and holds on to the handles, controlling the body and legs.
- In the competition, men and women are divided. Congresses run two races in one day and four in two.
Bobsleigh appeared much earlier and got on the list of the Olympic Games first. Their name they received from the appearance of sledges, having the shape of a bean. He has his own rules, which are not similar to the skeleton.
- The sleigh looks like an oblong oval, which is mounted on the chassis. They have special seats for the crew, in which they jump up in proportion to the acceleration. The control is done by the front axle.
- In the competition, either a couple or four people participate.
- Each competition represents four races, and that team that in the aggregate will gain less time won.
What is the difference between tobogganing and skeleton?
Active winter sports , such as skeleton and luge also have many differences. Skeleton rules were presented above, but sledding also has its own characteristics.
- Athletes fall on the sleigh with their feet forward.
- Sledges are made in the form of a bed, with special skids so that the athletes can keep and manage.
- Going down, the athlete does not see where he is going and changes the trajectory with the help of his body.
The rules of the competition are as follows:
- male;
- female;
- paired;
- command.
What are the competitors in the skeleton?
Sleds are the most important attribute of this sport. They are made as simply as possible compared to their counterparts from biathlon or bobsled. A flat frame made of plastic or wood is light and does not exceed 22 kilograms. Official requirements:
- length from 80 to 120 cm;
- weight with a load for men not more than 43 kg;
- for women - 35 kg;
- the size between the runners is from 34 to 38 cm.
Each model is selected individually for different types of people. Sleds for a skeleton are not easy sporting equipment, and the continuation of equipment, because even for the most insignificant competitions the athlete will not go on other people's models. Their length must necessarily correspond to the height of the person, and the handle is in the most convenient position. For men are advised to take more voluminous options, for convenience when riding.
Skeleton - management
General equipment for the skeleton does not imply steering. Sleds are completely immobile and the athlete has to change the trajectory with the help of improvised means. You can do this in several ways, the main thing is to correctly distribute the body weight:
- slopes of the body;
- toes of shoes;
- hands.
Speed in the skeleton
Each contestant wants to beat the record of Alexander Tretyakov, who accelerated at 146.4 km / h. The average speed of the skeleton is now about 110 km / h, but those who perform at the world and Olympic level almost always surpass it. There is no limit to perfection and thousands of sportsmen are trying to overtake Alexander and on this occasion even mass competitions with elements of training are arranged.
Outfit for skeleton
Clothing for this sport is not too diverse. The rules for its acquisition have not been established, so the athlete chooses what is convenient and safe for him.
- The costume is a super-blazing aerodynamic coverall that warms well, but is also not negligible.
- Special footwear for skeleton is tough and durable. It has spikes to adjust the turns and braking.
- Compact helmet for skeleton, with special chin protection.