With sleds hurtling downhill at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour, reflex is everything in the sport of bobsled. Athletes rely on split-second reactions to negotiate sharp turns under intense G-force. Fine adjustments are made on the fly to keep sleds from riding too high on the curved embankments, which costs precious fractions of a second. It's a fine balance, though. Taking too straight a line can lead to an overturned sled.

On track The track is made of concrete. A system of sprinklers provide moisture for the sheet of ice that covers it. It is 4,400-feet long and drops 390 feet. One of only 16 bobsled facilities in the world, it has a refrigeration system that allows athletes to train year-round. Ones to watch The Salt Lake Games will mark the debut of women's bobsled. The United States' best hopes for a gold medal ride with the team of Jean Racine and Gea Johnson. Racine, the team's driver, finished the 1999-2000 season ranked No. 1 in the world. Jean Racine (front)

Getting it going Because the margin of victory can be mere hundredths of a second, a fast start is critical.

Sources: International Olympic Committee; U.S. Olympic Committee; U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation

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