Skeleton Timing Rules

Skeleton Scoring and Timing: Four Runs, Hundredths Apart

Skeleton’s scoring system is identical in philosophy to luge and bobsled: cumulative time over multiple runs wins. The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) oversees a timing infrastructure that must capture the razor-thin margins separating Olympic medalists.

The Format

Men’s and women’s events: four runs over two days.

• Day 1: Runs 1 and 2.
• Day 2: Runs 3 and 4.

All four run times are summed. The lowest total wins. Every run counts — there is no dropped run provision.

Timing Precision

Skeleton times are recorded to 1/100th of a second (0.01 s). While luge uses 1/1000th precision, IBSF sports (bobsled and skeleton) use 1/100th — still extraordinarily precise for a sport where a full second separates the top 15 competitors.

The Start Time

The start is measured from a timing eye at the push-off point to a second eye approximately 45 meters down the track. This start interval captures the sprint and loading phase.

Start times for top male skeleton athletes range from roughly 4.70 to 5.10 seconds. The correlation between start time and finish time is strong: IBSF data suggests a 0.10-second start advantage translates to approximately 0.20–0.25 seconds at the finish.

This amplification occurs because the initial velocity advantage compounds as gravity accelerates the sled. It’s the reason skeleton athletes invest heavily in sprint training and explosive power.

Intermediate Splits

Photocells at several points along the track record split times. These are displayed in real-time for spectators and broadcasters, showing how the current slider compares to the leader. Split times are unofficial — only the start time and finish time count — but they provide critical insight into where time is gained or lost.

Tie-Breaking

If two athletes have the same cumulative time after four runs (to the hundredth of a second), they share the position. At the Olympics, both receive the same medal. No tiebreaker procedure exists.

Start Order

Run 1: based on IBSF world rankings — higher-ranked athletes start later, typically benefiting from a more polished ice surface.

Subsequent runs: reversed from current standings — the leader goes last. This can be an advantage (smoother ice from prior sliders) or a disadvantage (pressure of knowing the times to beat).

Pre-Run and Post-Run Inspections

Before each run:

• Runner temperature check: runners must not exceed the reference temperature by more than the IBSF tolerance (typically 4°C). Violation = disqualification.
• Sled weight check: sled + athlete must not exceed the maximum (115 kg men, 92 kg women).

After each run:

• Sled weight may be rechecked — athletes who gained weight (e.g., ice accumulation) beyond the limit could face questions, though this is rare.
• Equipment inspection: any unauthorized modifications discovered post-run result in disqualification.

Track and Weather Variables

Ice conditions change throughout a competition session:

• Temperature fluctuations: even 1°C change in air temperature can measurably affect ice hardness and speed.
• Slider traffic: the first few sliders “clean” the track, often benefiting later starters.
• Humidity: high humidity can create frost crystals that slow runners.

IBSF officials monitor conditions and can adjust the schedule if unsafe differentials emerge between early and late starters. In extreme cases, the start order may be modified or the session paused.