Bobsleigh

Events
There are three bobsleigh events on the 2010 Olympic Program: the two- and four-man events and the women's event, which made its Olympic debut in Salt Lake City.

Competition Format (two- and four-man)

The two-man and four-man events have the same format but are held as separate competitions. Each competition consists of four heats. The order of competitors in the four heats will be as follows:

1st race heat: From 1 to the end, according to draw
2nd race heat: From 20 to 1 and from 21 to the end, according to the ranking of the first race heat
3rd race heat: From 1 to the end, according to the ranking after two race heats
4th race heat: From 20 to 1, according to the ranking after three race heats. The remaining competitors do not compete in the 4th race heat

Competitors who do not qualify within the first 20 ranks during the 3rd heat, will not take part in the 4th race heat and will remain in the overall ranking with the rank they achieved in the 3rd race heat.

After the four heats, the team with the lowest aggregate time is the winner. Equal times within 1/100th of a second result in even ranks.

Competition Format (women's)

The women's competition consists of four heats. The order of competitors in the four heats will be as follows:

1st race heat: From 1 to end, according to draw
2nd race heat: From end to 1, according to the ranking of the first race heat
3rd race heat: From 1 to the end, according to the ranking after two race heats
4th race heat: From end to 1, according to the ranking after three race heats

After the four heats, the team with the lowest aggregate time is the winner. Equal times within 1/100th of a second result in even ranks.

Protests

Protests must be verbally announced to the jury within five minutes of the end of the competition and subsequently made in writing (in English, French or German) within 20 minutes of the end of the competition. If the protest has not been verbally announced to the jury, no protest in writing may be presented. Protests may be reported and handed over only by the notified team captains, accompanied by a fee (100 EUR) as determined by FIBT regulations. Collective protests are not permitted. No further protest is accepted after the time allowed for submission of protests has elapsed. The jury makes decisions in accordance with FIBT rules and other regulations.

Timing

The run time can be measured electrically or electronically. Two independently functioning timing systems must be in use. The times must be measured to 1/100th of a second.

Times equal to 1/100th of a second are given the same rank.

There must be five interval times during the course of a race. The first interval time corresponds to the start time (50m). The next four interval times must be evenly distributed among the remainder of the track.

If two or more teams achieve the same time in the first, second or third heats, the starting order for these teams in the second, third and fourth heats respectively shall be determined according to the start number. In such a case, the team with the highest start number is the first to start.

Competition Equipment

In principle, all race heats must be contested with the same sled. If the sled has been damaged beyond immediate repair, a replacement sled may be allowed with the authorization of the Jury.

It is prohibited to heat the runners or to treat them with solid, liquid or gaseous substances for the purpose of improving their sliding capabilities. The use of any means of propulsion is also prohibited. Changing runners is only permitted after damage and with the authorization of the Jury.

The FIBT regulates the size and weight of sleds used in competition:

• Two-man: minimum 384 pounds (170kg) when empty, maximum 860 pounds (390kg) with crew and equipment

• Four-man: minimum 463 pounds (210kg) when empty, maximum 1,389 pounds (630kg) with crew and equipment

• Women's: minimum 284 pounds (170kg) when empty, maximum 750 pounds (340kg) with crew and equipment