Skeleton involves a person riding a small sled down a frozen track while lying face down.
The sport is a more intense form of Luge because skeleton competitors leap onto the sled and slide downhill head first.
Skeleton athletes can reach up to 80 mph on straightaways, causing forces up to 5g, so the helmet is a critical component for attitude as well as safety.
Here’s a look at some of the riders at the Sochi Olympics:
Ireland’s Sean Greenwood speeds down during an unofficial men’s skeleton progressive training at the Sanki sliding center in Rosa Khutor,
Canada’s Sarah Reid speeds down the track during an unofficial women skeleton progressive training
When metal sleds were first produced on a large scale in 1892, the frames resembled a human skeleton, hence the etymology of the sport.
Katie Uhlaender of the U.S. starts an unofficial women skeleton progressive training at the Sanki sliding center in Rosa Khutor
Skeleton made only two appearances at the Olympics in the 20th century, 1928 and 1948.
Canada’s John Fairbairn speeds down during an unofficial men’s skeleton progressive training at the Sanki sliding center in Rosa Khutor
It was not until the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City that skeleton was reintroduced to the Games for good.
Canada’s Eric Neilson speeds down during an unofficial men’s skeleton progressive training at the Sanki sliding center in Rosa KhutorSkeleton at Sochi is Feb. 13th & 14th The gold medal favorites are Elizabeth Yarnold of Britain and Martins Dukurs of Latvia
The Gaetano Group 