Head first. Eight questions.
The Skeleton History Quiz
A greengrocer, an Olympic exile, an Iron Man helmet and a pitcher of beer. Every answer links to its story in the skeleton history.
Skeleton
Where did Cornish finish after riding the Cresta head first in 1887?
He finished fourteenth. The result did not matter: within a few years, head-first riding had taken over.
Skeleton
What is the most visible explanation for the name “skeleton”?
An early sled was little more than a steel frame, two runners and a pad—it looked like the skeleton of a sled.
Skeleton
What was 1948 Olympic champion Nino Bibbia’s occupation?
Bibbia sold fruit and vegetables in St. Moritz before winning Italy’s first Winter Olympic medal.
Skeleton
Why did the Olympics drop skeleton after 1948?
The IOC considered it impractical because skeleton could only be held when the Games came to St. Moritz.
Skeleton
What did Jim Shea Jr carry inside his helmet when he won in 2002?
His grandfather, double Olympic champion Jack Shea, had died four weeks before the Salt Lake City race.
Skeleton
What did Duff Gibson do immediately after winning Olympic gold at age thirty-nine?
Gibson became the oldest individual Winter Olympic champion at the time and retired the same day.
Skeleton
What was Jon Montgomery handed on his way to the 2010 medal ceremony?
A fan passed a pitcher over a Mountie’s shoulder, and Montgomery drank from it while walking through Whistler.
Skeleton
Why did Yun Sung-bin race in an Iron Man helmet?
Yun said skeleton looked like Iron Man flying. Wearing the helmet, he won by a record 1.63 seconds at PyeongChang.
Finished