Skeleton World Cup (IBSF)

Together with bobsleigh

The Skeleton World Cup is usually held on the same weekends and tracks as the Bobsleigh World Cup. This is practical, because both sports are organised by the IBSF and use the same tracks. For spectators, it means you often see both sports on one race weekend.

Procedure

A World Cup race usually consists of two runs. The times are added together. As usual in skeleton, the start is a short sprint with the sled, after which the line through the corners decides. Margins are often in the range of hundredths.

Venues

Regular venues in the German-speaking region are Winterberg, Altenberg, Königssee and Oberhof in Germany, Igls in Austria and St. Moritz in Switzerland. There are also tracks in Latvia, North America and Asia. Because every track has its own character, all-rounders who are fast on every course are in demand.

Overall standings

Points are awarded for every placing. Whoever has the most points at the end of the season wins the overall World Cup and receives a crystal globe. In addition, European Championship titles are awarded at individual races when the race also counts as the European Championships.

Lower tiers

Below the World Cup are the Intercontinental Cup and the Europe Cup. There, young athletes and smaller nations gain experience and points. Good results there earn World Cup start places.

Successes from the German-speaking region

German skeleton athletes have been among the world's best for years, including the 2022 Olympic champions Christopher Grotheer and Hannah Neise. From Austria, Janine Flock is one of the best-known athletes. Switzerland, with St. Moritz and the Cresta Run, has a historic connection to the sport.

Watching

Skeleton is spectacular for spectators because the athletes go head first without a protective shell. Standing by the track, you hear the runners on the ice before the sled appears. Video screens show the split times.

World Cup and World Championships

The World Championships are held outside the World Cup standings over four runs. Many athletes use the World Cup to test equipment and lines on different tracks.

Record overall winner

Latvia's Martins Dukurs dominated the Skeleton World Cup for many years and won the overall standings more often than any other athlete. Among the women, the winners changed more often, including athletes from Germany, Great Britain and Austria.

German successes

Germany regularly produces World Cup winners and world champions. Christopher Grotheer has won world titles as well as Olympic gold. Among the women, Tina Hermann and Jacqueline Pfeifer were among the most successful.

Tracks with character

Every track has its own demands. In Altenberg, the "Kreisel", an almost complete circular curve, is considered a particularly difficult section. St. Moritz, a natural ice track, changes with the weather from day to day. Athletes who are fast on all these tracks have the best chance of winning the overall World Cup.

Start order

In the second run, athletes usually start in reverse order of results, with the leaders last. This keeps the tension up until the final run.

Equipment

The sled is adjusted for each track. Teams experiment with runners, centre of gravity and stiffness, within the tight limits of the IBSF rules.