Winter Olympics preview: Skeleton

History

Skeleton  originated in 1892, but wasn’t recognized by the International Olympic Committee until 1926. The 1928 Winter Olympics in Switzerland was its first appearance at the games, and Skeleton is appearing in its fourth consecutive Winter Olympics  following a 54-year absence. Men have competed in Skeleton since 1928, while women were added to the games for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Events:

Individual men’s and women’s heats.

Venue: Sanki Sliding Center

Located in Rzhanaya Polyana, approximately 37 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Sochi. The Sliding Center will host the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton events. The venue opened in 2012, and has a capacity of 5, 000. The Sliding Center features a length of 1384-1500 meters, 17 curves, start elevation of 836 meters, vertical drop of 131.9 meters, finish elevation of 711.5 meters, and an estimated grade of 9.3 percent.

The Top Story

Martins Dukurs (Latvia) won his fifth consecutive overall World Cup championship. Dukurs finished the skeleton season with 1,720 points and a number one spot in the International Bobsleigh and Tobogganing Federation.

Five Names To Know

1. Martins Dukurs (Latvia) - Finished the season with 1,720 points. The 29-year-old captured his fifth consecutive overall World Cup championship. Dukurs recorded eight first place finishes during the month of January.

2. Tomass Dukurs (Latvia) - The elder brother of Martin, Tomass finished second in FIBT rankings. Dukurs managed 1,608 points and three first place finishes in January.

3. Elizabeth Yarnold (Great Britain) - Finished atop the women’s FIBT rankings with 1,672 points. The 25-year-old captured the gold medal in the 2013-14 women’s Skeleton World Cup.

4. Noelle Pikus-pace (United States) - Retired following the 2010 Winter Olympics due to concussion issues, but returned to skeleton in 2012. Pikus-pace finished second in FIBT rankings, with 1,520 points.

5. Matthew Antoine (United States) - Finished third in FIBT rankings with 1,529 points, only 191 points off of leader Martin Dukurs. Antoine managed ten top five finishes in the month of January.

Three Terms To Know

1. Sliders - Skeleton athletes are referred to as sliders. Sliders can reach speeds greater than 55 miles per hour (90 km/h), and experience forces of 5g.

2. Heat - The Winter Olympics contains four heats. A heat is considered as one circuit of the track, and the slider with the lowest average time is awarded the gold medal.

3. Labyrinth - The labyrinth is considered to be the most difficult part of the track for sliders. This part of the track doesn’t contain any straight sections, and consists of numerous quick turns (curves).

Object Of The Game

Skeleton requires the athletes to travel down the track as fast as they possibly can. Sliders use a sled during competition, which places them in a head-first position. Skeleton consists of four heats, over a two-day span. The slider with the lowest average track time is awarded the gold medal.

Details

• 30 male competitors; 20 female competitors.

• Each slider completes four timed runs. Medals are awarded to the sliders with the lowest average time throughout the runs.

Schedule

All times EST.

2013-14 FIBT Rankings (Men)

1. Martins Dukurs (Latvia)

2. Tomass Dukurs (Latvia)

3. Matthew Antoine (United States)

2013-14 FIBT Rankings (Women)

1. Elizabeth Yarnold (Great Britain)

2. Noelle Pikus-pace (United States)

3. Shelley Rudman (Great Britain)