Olympic bobsledding is a high-speed race on ice, featuring four medal events:

• 2-man and 4-man bobsled are classic events where teams of two or four athletes—typically one pilot and one to three push athletes — race down a twisting ice track at speeds reaching 90+ mph
• 2-woman bobsled was introduced at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games to bring more gender parity to the sport
• Monobob, which made its Olympic debut at Beijing 2022, features solo female pilots who push, steer, and brake all on their own, making it one of the most demanding tests of individual skill in sliding sports

Olympic bobsled races unfold over four heats spread across two days. Each sled completes four timed runs, and the total combined time determines the final standings and the fastest total time wins.

The start order changes from run to run to keep the competition fair and unpredictable. For the first heat, the top 10 IBSF-ranked pilots pick start numbers 1 through 10, with the rest starting in ranking order. The second heat generally goes from slowest to fastest based on first-run times. The third run starts fastest to slowest based on combined times. And for the final run, only the top-20 sleds qualify — and they go in reverse order, slowest to fastest, building to a dramatic finish.

The rules of Olympic bobsled are designed to ensure fairness, safety, and high-speed competition. Here are a few essentials:

• Weight limits: There are strict maximum weight limits for each sled and crew combined. Teams must balance speed and strength without going over the assigned limits.
• Push start: Each race begins with a powerful push start, where athletes sprint and load into the sled in seconds. A fast start is critical, and fractions of a second here can decide medals.
• Equipment regulations: Sled dimensions, runners (blades), and materials are regulated tightly. Teams can fine-tune their sleds, but major modifications are off-limits.
• No steering assistance: Once the sled is in motion, it’s all on the pilot to steer cleanly through tight curves using two steering ropes (D-rings) connected to the front runners

Any crashes, rule violations, or failure to finish a run can lead to disqualification.

Timing in Olympic bobsled is ultra-precise, measured down to one-hundredth of a second. Once the sled passes the starting line, an electronic eye triggers the timer, stopping the instant the finish line is crossed. All four runs are added together for a total time. That means consistency is key: one blazing-fast run won’t win gold if the others aren’t clean. The team with the lowest total time after four heats takes the win.

In case of a tie, medals are awarded to both teams.

As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach in Milan Cortina, Team USA’s bobsled program is poised to be a strong contender across multiple events — with hopes especially high for monobob and two-woman sleds. 

On the women’s side, Kaillie Humphries, a veteran with multiple Olympic gold medals and a celebrated comeback after maternity leave, has been a focal point for the U.S. squad and recently celebrated her first World Cup win since 2023, underscoring her readiness for another Olympic push. She will race with brakewoman Jasmine Jones. Emerging as a true star this cycle is Kaysha Love, the reigning monobob world champion whose sprinting background has translated into powerful starts and podium consistency — positioning her as a genuine medal threat in both monobob and two-woman sleds, where she will be joined by Azaria Hill. Elana Meyers Taylor, one of the most decorated athletes in bobsled history with multiple Olympic medals, remains a central figure for the U.S. women; she continues to compete at a high level and bring veteran experience to both monobob and two-woman sleds, and in Milan Cortina she will race with Jadin O'Brien.

In men’s bobsled, U.S. pilots Frank Del Duca and Kris Horn have been staples of the 2025–26 IBSF World Cup season, with Del Duca regularly finishing in the top five against a stacked international field. That depth has helped secure Olympic quota spots for the U.S. and reflects a program that continues to develop its next generation of sliders. Del Duca and Horn will be joined by brakemen, Josh Williamson, Boone Niederhofer, Bryan Sosoo, Carsten Vissering, Hunter Powell, and Caleb Furnell.

The bobsled events at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will take place at the Eugenio Monti Sliding Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo — named after Italy’s iconic bobsledder and two-time Olympic gold medalist.

This historic venue, originally built for the 1956 Winter Games, has been upgraded for the 21st century with modern safety features and sustainability measures. Located in the Italian Alps, it promises a stunning and challenging setting for the world’s best pilots to chase Olympic gold.