Driving a bobsled is a mix of sprinting, precision steering, and staying calm at very high speed. It’s not something you should try without proper training, a certified track, and professional supervision.

Quick Scoop: How you “drive” a bobsled

Think of it as three big phases: the start, the drive, and the brake.

1. The start: sprint and load

  • The whole crew stands behind or alongside the sled at the top of an iced track.
  • At the signal, everyone sprints and pushes as hard as possible for about 15–65 meters, depending on the track and race rules.
  • The pilot (driver) is usually the first to jump in, followed by side pushers, with the brakeman loading last at the back.
  • Once everyone is in, side handles fold in and the sled becomes aerodynamic.

A strong start is crucial because any time gained in the first few meters tends to “multiply” by the bottom of the track.

2. The driving position and controls

Inside, the bobsled pilot sits in front and steers; the others stay low and help with balance and weight distribution.

  • The pilot sits low, head just peeking over the cowling, to cut wind resistance but still see the track.
  • Steering is done with a system of two rings/ropes attached to pulleys and the front runners (blades).
  • Pulling the left ring gently turns the front runners left; pulling the right ring turns them right.
  • The movements are small and done with the fingertips: too much or too late steering can slam the sled into the walls and slow you down or cause a crash.

As one pilot put it, you’re basically sledding down a hill at around 95 mph (150+ km/h) and still supposed to “have some fun with it,” even though tiny mistakes mean big time losses or crashes.

3. How you actually steer down the track

Driving a bobsled isn’t just pointing it down and hoping; it’s about holding the best line through every curve.

  • Before runs, pilots do “track walks” on foot with crampons, studying every bend and transition so they know when and how much to steer.
  • In the run, they make quick, precise steering inputs to guide the sled smoothly through corners, staying off the walls and on the fastest path.
  • Adjustments must be timed slightly ahead of what you see, because the sled is moving so fast that your body often reacts before you fully think.
  • The crew behind the pilot may subtly shift weight left or right to help keep the sled on the right line.

Every track has its own “personality” and set of rules (length, steepness, number and type of turns), so pilots must learn each one almost like a separate puzzle.

4. Braking (only at the end!)

The brakeman isn’t touching the brakes during the run at all.

  • The brakeman stays low and still during the ride to keep the sled stable and fast.
  • Only after crossing the finish line do they pull the brake handles.
  • That deploys toothed rear runners into the ice to bring the sled to a stop over the run-out area.

If you braked early, you’d ruin the time or risk a dangerous stop in the middle of the track.

5. What kind of skill does it take?

To really drive a bobsled well, you need a combination of athleticism, technical feel, and mental focus.

  • Physical: explosive sprint power for the push, strong neck and core to handle high G-forces in banked curves.
  • Technical: fine finger control on the steering rings, the ability to “read” the ice, and knowledge of how the sled reacts.
  • Mental: intense concentration, commitment, and the nerve to stay relaxed at over 100 km/h while you make split‑second decisions.

Competitive four‑man bobsleds can be up to about 3.8 m long, ~67 cm wide, and up to 630 kg including the athletes, so you’re essentially guiding a very heavy, very fast “rocket” down ice.

6. If you’re thinking of trying it

If you ever want to “drive” a bobsled yourself, the safe route is to do an organized bobsleigh experience at a professional track:

  • Many Olympic or former Olympic tracks offer ride‑along or “pilot for a day” programs where you drive under tight supervision.
  • A typical course includes a morning briefing, a track walk with a pro, and then a few runs from a lower start (fewer curves, slightly lower speeds).
  • You’ll get proper gear, guidance on how to hold the rings, and a controlled environment with medical and track staff.

Trying to improvise bobsledding on a random hill or homemade track is extremely dangerous and should be avoided.

Mini FAQ

Is driving a bobsled like driving a car?
Not really. You don’t “steer” with a wheel; you guide runners with rings and body feel, and you can’t stop or swerve like on asphalt.

Is it as simple as the movie “Cool Runnings”?
The spirit is similar—teamwork and courage—but the real sport has much more technical steering, track study, and risk management than you see in the film.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.