/The Sport

Skeleton History

Skeleton started in St Moritz, Switserland in the late 18th century. It was founded under the name Cresta. When the Cresta Drivers tried out their sleds on artificials tracks the nick name of Skeleton was used to make the difference between the Cresta. The first artificial track was konigsee in Germany. Skeleton, along with Luge and Bobsleigh, is a sliding sport. Skeleton participants use a sled that greatly resembles a large cafeteria tray with metal runners on the bottom to make you go faster. The sport takes place on an ice track, the same track, from start to finish, that the bobsled uses. The name seemingly coming from the speed produced that would tear off your skin from your skeleton actually comes from the sled. The sled was considered the “skeleton” of the bobsled.
The sport was first overseen by the FIL and later by the FIBT.
Olympic sport in 1928, 1948 and 2002 (planned for 2006)