What is the parc fermé in skeleton?
Officials' detail · The sled and officials · 3 of 4A parc fermé is used at every race. All work on sleds, including fitting the runners, must be done 45 minutes before the start; then nothing may be touched. Between heats it reopens for set work, and runners may be sanded only with IBSF abrasives. Runners may be at most 4 °C warmer than a reference runner hung in the open air.
How it works
- Every race: a fenced parc fermé at the start.
- Deadline: all work done 45 minutes before the race; sleds uncovered with clean runners.
- Between heats: reopened until 5 minutes before the next heat; the sled is marked on leaving.
- No tools or gloves: inside the parc fermé.
- Sanding: only with IBSF abrasives, runners on the sled.
- Temperature: at most 4 °C above the reference runner; at most -10 °C if the reference is below -14 °C.
- Second check: straight after the first; failing again disqualifies.
- No cooling: with snow or ice.
The glossary has the parc fermé, the runner temperature, the runners, the DQB, the skeleton sled parts and the weight check.
Tricky cases
Can an athlete use their own sandpaper?
No. Only IBSF-supplied abrasives are allowed; anything else means disqualification.
Can the athlete go back into the parc fermé after leaving?
No. Once they leave and their sled is marked, they may not return.
Runners are 5 °C warmer than the reference. Then what?
A second check at once; if still over, disqualification.
Can athletes wear gloves in the parc fermé?
No. Covering the hands is banned there.
Why the rule exists
Locking sleds away stops last-minute tweaks or heating. Checking runner temperature against a runner in the same air removes the weather from the comparison.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Skeleton | Parc fermé at every race | IBSF 10.7 |
| Bobsleigh | Parc fermé "should" be used | IBSF Bobsleigh 10.7 |
| Hot days | Sleds on snow before the start | IBSF 10.12 |
From the rule book
IBSF, International Rules Skeleton (September 2026), articles 10.7, 10.11 to 10.13. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IBSF International Rules, issued each season.