"You bobsled? Do you do the 3-man or the 5-man event?"

While in days gone by, bobsled teams did have five athletes, nowdays the sport is divided into two disciplines: the 2-man and the 4-man events. Drivers often compete in both and their brakeman is often a member of their 4-man team.

Crews of a 4-man are made up of the pilot, or driver, two side pushers and a brakeman. While both 2-man and 4-man sleds are shaped like bullets with protective wings, or bunks, on the side, there are dimensional differences. A 4-man bobsled measures 3.8 meters (about 12 feet) in length and weighs no more than 630 kilograms (1,389 pounds) with crew. This maintains a level playing field as teams can add ballast weights to their sled if needs be to meet the maximum weight (it is a gravity sport after all).

Like a 2-man sled, 4-man bobsleds are made up of metal and carbon frames covered a fiberglass or kevlar body. The axles are connected to the frame which hold the "shoes" where the bobsled runners are bolted on. The front axle pivots in connection with the driver's steering system, thus allowing the pilot to maneuver the sled down the track. Generally speaking, a 2-man sled is less stable though perhaps more maneuverable on the track than a 4-man sled. 4-man sleds can often reach slightly higher speeds as well.

The body/frame of the bobsled is actually split in two at the "articulation joint", or the point on the frame where the sled can pivot and bend. This allows the nose of the sled and the rear of the sled to turn and bend with the curvature of the entrances, exits and bodies of the turns. Much like a professional race car on different courses, small modifications can be made on the bobsleds to set them up for the different tracks.