START
Ready?? GO
The crew pushes the sled in unison; the starting position is about 5 meters before the first photocell that gives the consent for the first time-keeping, then the crew loads into the sled to start the descent.
After 50 metres, just before the first right bend, named Curva Verzi, there is the first time-keeping to establish the so-called push time. The push time is critical to assess the speed that the crew has impressed to the sled.
At present the record-holder for the 2-man bob is Germany 1 (Langen-Hampel) with a push time of 4.85 seconds. The record was realised on 18th January 1996 during the World Cup competition. Whereas, in the 4-man bob, the record holder is Germany 1 (Langen - Hampel – Kolert – Zimmermann) with a push time of 4.82, obtained during the World Cup on 21st January 1996.
CURVA VERZI
...rapidly the sled gains speed and runs along the Rettifilo Sento, a straight stretch leading to the first really demanding corner: Curva Sento 180°..
CURVA SENTO
...it is important to come out from this corner with a perfect trajectory ready for the next one...
PRIMA CURVA DEI LABIRINTI
...Three low corners, though difficult to prepare since they are consecutive and very close to each other. Their name is frightening in itself: the Three Corners of the Labyrinths.
The first is a right bend and like in slalom, even the slightest delay in the preparation translates into a trajectory delay for the next bends. At present, the Labirinti are covered at speeds that are inferior to those recorded when the start was about 300 m. uphill, as for 1956 Winter Olympics. On that occasion the sleds travelled along this stretch at speeds higher by 20 Km/h and the less expert crews would feel the thrilling emotion of seeing the track "upside down"...
SECONDA CURVA DEI LABIRINTI
...the second corner is a left bend and, if it weren't for the guard-roof - a sort of guard-rail for the sleds – more than one bob would go off the track and continue its run through the woods. All the corners are equipped with guard-roofs, since this feature is by now compulsory, as provided for by the International Regulations...
TERZA CURVA DEI LABIRINTI
...the third and last corner of the Labyrinths has again a right-hand trajectory and the pilot can eventually give a sigh of relief because it means that the Labyrinths have been passed through undamaged. The sled has gained speed, averaging 70-80 Km./h. The speed varies for 2- and 4-man bobsleighs and depends on the ability of the pilot and on the sled itself...
CURVA BELVEDERE
...Though the name of the next corner is "Belvedere" and apparently it does not seem difficult, there is no time to enjoy the wonderful landscape surrounding the Olympic Bobtrack of Cortina, because immediately, few metres ahead...
CURVA BANDION
...the pilot must be ready to Curva Bandion, a difficult 180° right bend, named after the small lake below.
This corner is actually the first where the inertial force measured in "G" is felt. In this case, the crew is subject to a G3. Those who try for the first time an "On-ice Formula One" will realise that the head "bends" forward in spite of all the efforts to keep it up and straight and the seat is felt as though "well laid and pressed against the bottom parts".
Curva Bandion is extremely critical for the final time; if it is well prepared, it enables the sled to come out with the ideal trajectory to increase the speed and enter dynamically the long straight stretch (Antelao) where speeds reach 90 Km./h...
RETTIFILO ANTELAO
When steering along the straight stretches, the pilot must be careful not to touch the walls of the narrow track, otherwise precious hundredths of second are left onto the icy walls of the track and will be hardly recovered in the remaining part. The long line of Rettifilo Antelao, interrupted by a slight bend with a little radius where the runners are just laid onto the ice in a sort of gentle correction of the trajectory, opens the doors to the most characteristic section of the track?
CURVA ANTELAO
...the "S-shaped corner" is formed by the left-hand bend "Antelao" and the right-hand one "Cristallo", named after the two mountain ridges that surround Cortina d'Ampezzo.
The Curva Antelao, below the wooden building Cabina Esse - where the Race Direction, the logistic services, and timing are located - is certainly the most visited one. Here the spectators gathers to enjoy a complete and close view of the sled speeding along the corner as far as the connection leading to Curva Cristallo. The two corners, whose radius is 160°, are the most banked in the track in order to contain the sled travelling at very high speeds in such a narrow space...
CURVA CRISTALLO
...If the pilot has properly steered his sled at the exit from Curva Antelao and on the connection , Curva Cristallo will not be a problem, unless he wishes to let the bob "run wild" by shaving the 4m.-high guard-roof and then steer it as far as the exit from the corner. Whereas, if the entrance trajectory is wrong, there is hardly a chance of getting out of the corner without capsizing. This bend is the most famous among the pilots for the occurrence of accidents...
RETTIFILO PRATI
...at the exit from Curva Cristallo the sled enters the longest straight stretch of the track: Rettifilo Prati. Here the sensation of high speed is really felt. A slight rise in the middle of the stretch, which is not even perceived by the spectators, is enough to provoke an effect which is higher by ten times than what you feel when you are driving a car at high speed on a fly-over bridge: your stomach gives a leap!!!!!
Get ready to hold your breath. The short Curva Valletta is travelled at 110 Km/h; although its ample radius, it seems a town crossroads to the crew. Then the sled enters Rettifilo Arrivo.
Along this straight stretch is recorded the maximum speed, varying from 120 to 135 Km/h depending on the bob (2- or 4-man)...
CURVA DI ARRIVO
It seems the game is over but there is much more ahead!!! Curva Arrivo. Do you remember the "G" factor? Here it is 4 to 5. This means that a person weighing 70 kilos will reach a weight of about 300 kilos.
Here the beginners cannot possibly keep their heads "at attention" . The head is pushed downwards against the back of the person sitting in front; the blood flows towards the legs and few seconds seem an endless lapse of time. Some advice: tighten the abdominal muscles just before the entrance to this corner, breath fully and hold the breath for a moment and, at the exit from the corner, relax since the descent has come to its end!!
RETTIFILO DI ARRIVO
The decent has lasted only one minute, but this time has been full of strong emotions mostly because you have experienced the run only via Internet.
What about a true run on a real sled on the Olympic Bobtrack of Cortina d'Ampezzo?
You may contact us or come to see us and those who fancy a ride should not miss this opportunity to become "Icejet Men".
We have almost forgotten! There are many women who try the bobsleigh? to become "Icejet Women"
PODIO
