Editing Bobsleigh (section)

===Competitive discipline===
Formal competitions began down the natural-ice [[Cresta Run]] in 1884, which was built in an annual partnership between guests and local people. The run, which was still in operation {{as of|2014|lc=on}}, has served as a host track for [[Skeleton (sport)|skeleton]] at two [[Winter Olympic Games]] ([[Skeleton at the 1928 Winter Olympics|1928]] and [[Skeleton at the 1948 Winter Olympics|1948]]). As one of the few natural weather tracks in the world, it does not use artificial refrigeration. It is not known how much the original track evolved in the early years as the three sports matured and stabilized. The first club was formed in 1897, and the first purpose-built track solely for bobsleds opened in 1902 outside St. Moritz. Over the years, bobsleigh tracks evolved from straight runs to twisting and turning tracks. The original wooden sleds<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=g_EDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Popular+Mechanics+1931+curtiss&pg=PA543 "Rounding The Zigzag Turn Of A Bobsleigh Run", April 1932, ''Popular Mechanics''] photo of wooden bobsleigh used in early 1930s</ref> gave way to streamlined fiberglass and metal ones.

The [[International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation]] (IBSF) was founded in 1923. Men's four-man bobsleigh appeared in the first ever Winter Olympics in 1924, and the men's two-man bobsleigh event was added in 1932. Though not included in the [[1960 Winter Olympics]], bobsleigh has featured in every Winter Olympics since. Women's bobsleigh competition began in the US in 1983 with two demonstration races in Lake Placid, New York, one held in February and the second held during the World Cup races in March 1983. Two-woman bobsleigh made its Olympic debut at the [[2002 Winter Olympics]]. Bobsleigh is also contested at American, European, and World Cup championships.

Germany and Switzerland have proven the most successful bobsleighing nations, measured by overall success in European, World, World Cup, and Olympic championships. Since the 1990s Germans have dominated in international competition, having won more medals than any other nation. Italy, Austria, Canada and the United States also have strong bobsleigh traditions.

Bobsleighs can attain speeds of {{convert|150|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, with the reported world record being {{convert|157.06|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} set on March 3, 2019 at the [[IBSF World Championships 2019 – Four-man|Whistler World Championships]] in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=HOW FAST DOES A BOBSLEIGH GO? |url=https://bobsleigh.uk/about/how-fast-does-a-bobsleigh-go/ |website=bobsleigh.uk |access-date=2023-09-11}}</ref><ref>[https://www.ibsf.org/images/api/download/competitions/82c1889b-8822-4a7b-b3e2-40b20422081f_finalresult_wch_bobsleigh_4men_whistler.pdf BMW IBSF World Championships Bob & Skeleton 2019 Whistler (CAN). Official results] ibsf.org Retrieved 19 November 2023</ref>