What Does the Person in the Back of the Bobsled Do? In bobsledding, the person in the back is the brakeman (or brakeperson), a vital crew member whose main job kicks in at the end of the high-speed run. This role demands explosive power during the start and precise control to stop the sled safely after hurtling down icy tracks at up to 90 mph.

Core Responsibilities

  • Pushing at the Start : The brakeman is often the fastest and strongest athlete, delivering a massive final push before diving into the sled last—this maximizes initial speed, which can make or break a race.
  • Applying the Brakes : Once the run ends, they pull a lever to deploy ice spikes at the back of the sled runners, slowing it from extreme velocities in seconds to avoid crashes.
  • Staying Still Mid-Run : After loading, they remain motionless to minimize drag and maintain aerodynamics, unlike the driver who steers up front.

Loading the Sled: A Choreographed Dive

Loading happens in under a second for top teams, like a high-stakes ballet of power athletes. In a two-person sled, the brakeman grabs handles on both ends, pushes their body into a deadlift-like position, then long-jumps aboard with legs forward, folding into place behind the driver. For four-person sleds, the No. 4 (back position) mirrors this: they push hard, swing legs around No. 3, shout "all in!" to signal the crew, and collapse push handles for everyone.

"The brakeman is usually the fastest athlete on the sled, and gets in the sled last. He also has the responsibility of braking at the end of the run."

Two-Person vs. Four-Person Breakdown

Aspect| Two-Person Bobsled| Four-Person Bobsled
---|---|---
Back Role| Brakeman pushes with driver, dives in last, brakes.7| No. 4 (brakeman) pushes last, signals load, brakes; sits behind two pushers.35
Push Power| Shared driver-brakeman effort.7| Four athletes; back adds final burst.9
Mid-Run Posture| Folded low for streamlining.3| Locks crew in place, stays still.3

This setup evolved from early 20th-century races, refined for Olympics where crews shrank from 5-6 to 2-4 for speed.

Why It Matters in Races

Brakemen aren't just stoppers—they're sprinters who shave fractions of seconds off start times, directly impacting gold medals. Picture the 2022 Olympics: Teams like USA's relied on brakeman Frank Del Duca's power to compete against powerhouses like Germany.[ context] Trending now (Feb 2026), with Whistler events heating up, fans buzz about how brakemen like Ireland's crew adapt roles for women's two-woman sleds, blending strength and precision.

In short: The back person powers the start, locks in silently, then brakes heroically —a role blending sprinter, anchor, and emergency pilot.

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