Does luge or bobsled take any type of skill at all?

Question

i know this is a stupid and ignorant question...but really, it just looks like they're
sledding, but just laying down flat.
i'm sure it takes some sort of skill i guess, but what is is that?

thanks!

Answer 1

You betcha!



How to bobsleigh:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2123672_bobsleigh.html



Step 1



Line your team up. Bobsleighs are designed to carry teams of either two or four people with the person in front steering the sleigh those in back controlling the sleigh's breaks. To get started, line your team up alongside the bobsled with the driver in front on the left and the other members behind him spaced evenly on either side of the sleigh.



Step 2



Get a good push start. The push start is one of the most crucial stages of a bobsleigh run. Once all of the crew are lined up along the sleigh, the crew begins sprinting, pushing the bobsleigh as quickly as possible. The driver is the first to jump into the sleigh, in order to get control of the sleigh quickly, and the brakemen jump in next.



Step 3



Steer together. The primary responsibility for steering the sleigh rests with the driver. The driver uses a system of ropes to change the angle of the front runners which then turn the sleigh. However, the brakemen and other crew need to steer with the driver by leaning into the turns. This help maintain the sleigh's speed while steering the sleigh accurately.



Step 4



Use the brakes as needed. Since bobsleigh is a sport that has speed as its main goal, the brakes need to be used sparingly. So, use of the breaks should not be impromptu but part of a carefully constructed plan of attack for the particular track. Map out your braking zones and then let the brakeman do the job of controlling the sleigh's speed.



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Answer 2

They have to turn the luge/bobsled in the fastest possible line through the track without flipping or hitting the walls. Lugers turn with their feet and bobsleds have a wheel or something. Not to mention that they are doing this going over 80 mph.

Answer 3

I also was never very fast with the keyboard in school. I find that when i type a lot, i can get up to about 35-40 wpm, but i'd say i average about 20 wpm. Sometimes, like this past week, my fingers are just being difficult and not moving to the right keys, so I have had to watch them type which kinda slows the process down a bit. I never learned to use my pinkies though. I use my index through ring finger on the left and the thumb through middle fingers on the right. oh and every now and then, maybe a right pinky to push the shift key.

Answer 4

Lots of skill - you have to get a good start (strength & agility) and they you have to steer the fastest line down the course (accuracy, precision, planning). It's hard to tell without watching for a while but they really are steering, even at those speeds.



In bobsleigh the brakeman has to know the exact moments to tweak the brakes on the way down the course and everyone has to work in unison to aid in steering the sled by leaning the correct amount in each corner.

Answer 5

Luging is way harder than it looks. The push-off is hard because you need a lot of strength and you must stay in the middle of the track. Also you have to stay aerodynamic and still be able to see at high speed

Answer 6

When you luge, you have to shift your body into different positions

When you bobsled, the front person steers while the back person brakes

Answer 7

If the athletes weren't so skilled, it wouldn't look so easy. Trust me, it takes amazing skill. Hope this link answers your question. :)

Answer 8

Precision, I would say, in making it go the way it should go at a terrific speed.