Where did steel frame snowmobiles originate? What are the rules?

Steel-framed snowmobile sledding, also known as steerless snowmobile sledding and prone ice sledding, is an extension of traditional snowmobile sledding. Steel snowmobile sledding originated in the 19th century in St. Moritz, a small town in the Swiss mountains. The original steel sled race was held in 1884. Participants skated on an icy road from St. Moritz to Celerina. The winner received a bottle of champagne as a prize. 1887 saw the introduction of the prone snowmobile sled position, which was officially named skeleton in 1892, because of its similarity in shape to the human skeleton, and was also known as the skeleton snowmobile sled.

The steel snowmobile bobsled event was competed at the 1928 Olympic Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland. It was divided into men's and women's competitions. St. Moritz once again hosted the Winter Olympics, sanctioning the steel snowmobile bobsled to be included in the official competition. However, due to the high risks associated with the steel snowmobile bobsled event, it was canceled after the 1948 Winter Olympics, interrupting the history of Olympic participation. It was not until the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City that it again became a competitive event at the Winter Olympics. After the first two competitions, which included only the men's division, the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics were added to the women's division.

Steel snowmobile bobsled race rules

The track used in the steel snowmobile bobsled race is the same as the bobsled. The sledding and sliding positions in steel-framed snowmobiles are different from the regular bobsled program. Sledding involves the competitor lying down on the sled and putting their feet in front of them, while steel-framed snowmobile sledding is the opposite. Participants lie on a school bus with their heads facing forward and their feet back.

At the start of the race, competitors listen for the signal light at the starting point and start in the starting order. After the start signal is lighted, the competitor must complete the starting maneuver within a fixed time as required. At the start of the race, the competitor must propel the snowmobile sled vehicle forward and quickly board the snowmobile sled vehicle after accelerating to complete the race. The competitor must announce the start maneuver without assistance from others.

Regulates that steel-framed snowmobile sledding may only be performed in a prone position, permitting the competitor to be in a position with his or her stomach pressed against the snowmobile sled. It is permitted to drop the snowmobile sled midway through the race, but when passing the finish line, the competitor must be on the snowmobile sled in order to complete the race.

The race is run in two rounds on the same day. The results of the two rounds are added together and ranked. If two competitors have the same score, the rankings can be tied. The starting order for the first round was determined by a draw. The 20 men's competitors and 12 women's competitors ranked in the first round advance to the second round. The starting order for the second round is based on the results of the first round.