The second half of the women’s monobob competition is underway, with Team USA’s Kaillie Humphries in the lead, followed by Canada’s Christine de Bruin and fellow American Elana Meyers Taylor.
It’s the first time the event has appeared at an Olympic Games, but what exactly is the monobob?
As the name suggests, this event features a single, female participant tasked with quickly navigating a sled down the windy, icy track.
It’s an individual version of bobsleigh exclusive to female athletes. The bobsledders have to push, drive and brake the sled, which weighs at least 162 kilograms (more than 357 pounds) by themselves.
The event joins the pre-existing traditional bobsled events: four-man, two-man, and two-woman. As such, the Beijing Games mark the first time female bobsledders have had two medal opportunities, bringing them even with men.
In the women’s monobob event, each competitor’s sled is identical, removing any potential design advantages.
