More Safety in Bobsleighing: Ducking Your Head is Not Enough

Bobsleighing incidents frequently result in serious injuries for the occupants. During this year's press conference of the German Bobsleigh and Luge Association (BSD) at the Allianz Centre for Technology (AZT), the association along with AZT experts presented current ideas and research findings aimed at enhancing the safety of bobsleigh occupants. Besides introducing athletes on their way to initial driving tests for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the AZT, the highlight was the world premiere of the Allianz Safety Sled featuring the new HIP system (Head Impact Protector) designed to prevent head injuries in athletes.

"We are experts in vehicle occupant safety and can transfer these principles to bobsleighing. The current bobsleighs in terms of safety can be compared to open cars from the 1960s. Therefore, we are developing a comprehensive safety concept with the BSD. This covers head protection, prevention of athletes being ejected after a crash, the potential to decelerate the bobsleigh, and improvements to protective clothing and helmets," states Carsten Reinkemeyer, Head of Safety Research at AZT.

A new safety cell in the bobsleigh aims to prevent direct impacts on the occupants, ensuring a safe space for athletes. Similar to a convertible that creates a safety zone without a roof structure, the open design of the bobsleigh requires both front and rear structures to keep forces away from athletes. Introducing the Head Impact Protector (HIP) at the front, directly shielding the head of the driver, is new in the bobsleigh. To further extend this protection, increased push bars at the rear will provide more safe space for all occupants.

"It's crucial for head protection that structural integration is straightforward even in existing bobsleighs, ensuring feasibility for all international teams. Hence, a largely standardisable design needs to be found. Moreover, the athletes' agility during the critical entry into the bobsleigh must not be hindered," says Reinkemeyer.

This development work is being carried out at the Institute for Research and Development of Sports Equipment (FES) in Berlin, which traditionally manufactures bobsleighs for the BSD, thereby leveraging insights into the structural demands of the bobsleigh.

The second safety aspect, securing the athletes, also demands high standards in concept development, as the bobsleigh's very dynamic start phase is incompatible with typical automotive belt solutions. The securing device is being developed under the leadership of the Allianz Centre for Technology, which is collaborating with the Technical University of Munich (TUM) to tackle this complex task. Presently, the designs are being discussed with active pilots from various countries to achieve an optimal and universally accepted solution.

"This securing system must operate within extremely short time frames and very tight spaces, without impeding freedom of movement at start. Nevertheless, it must focus force application directly on athletes' bony structures to control their centre of gravity. Hence, current concept designs suggest a bifurcated system comprising a jersey- bound part and a bob-fixed component, each adaptable to individual bob positions," explains Carsten Reinkemeyer. "These measures aim to prevent athletes from being ejected from the bob or safety cell after high impact forces or incapacitation, thus avoiding being endangered by the bob, similar to the incident involving Sandro Michel."

The improved head protection concept was presented today at the Allianz Centre for Technology with a demonstration model. Subsequently, it needs structural elaboration. Design changes at the rear and athlete securing methods in the bob are currently being discussed with athletes and experts from the IBSF. Only the combination of all three safety measures meets the requirement for optimal athlete safety.

"We are proud to collaborate with Allianz on this project to improve athlete security," states BSD Managing Director Thomas Schwab. "Bobsleighing is the Formula 1 of winter sports and remains the fastest winter sport, with real dangers. While track safety has been successfully enhanced, it's now time to optimise bob safety itself. These complementary steps have always been taken jointly in motor racing. By partnering with Allianz and IBSF experts, we consolidate our experience with the Allianz Centre for Technology's expertise. With this collaboration, bobsleighing takes a significant step forward in terms of safety. Our aim is to protect our athletes and ensure performance never comes at the expense of safety."

"Bobsleighing is very complex, with many factors contributing to safety. Thanks to the BSD's initiative, we have a team with Allianz's high competence and experience, granting us new insights into our sport. We are delighted with this partnership with a global player like Allianz," states IBSF President Ivo Ferriani.

As an insurer, Allianz stands for prevention and safety. As a partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, Allianz found it essential to present enhancements before the start of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

"Together with BSD and IBSF, we aim to establish a global safety standard in bobsleighing to avoid serious athlete injuries. Thus, we extend our brand sponsorship through the Allianz Centre for Technology's expertise into concrete support for this fast sport. With this partnership, we are not just supporters but also co- developers of safety in an Olympic winter sport," says Eike Bürgel, Global Head of Olympic & Paralympic Program at Allianz SE.

The commitment extends beyond the ice track. Through this partnership with the German Bobsleigh and Luge Association, Allianz expands its broad engagement for elite and grassroots sports. Allianz is a strategic partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements, contributing to the successful hosting of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and will closely accompany the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. For many years, Allianz has been a partner of FC Bayern and a sponsor of the club's men's and women's teams. Besides these global partnerships, Allianz supports numerous local clubs in Germany, from Alba Berlin Women's Basketball to the Mannheim Hockey Club, focusing particularly on youth development. Through the MoveNow initiative, Allianz also fosters youth sports and fitness.

For further information:
Nadine Schumann
Tel. +41 (0) 58 358 84 14,
press@allianz.ch

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