Who decides protests in skeleton?
A · Advanced · The sled and officials · 1 of 1A jury of a president and two members runs each race, and its decisions are final. Only a team captain may protest: verbally within 5 minutes of the heat, then in writing within 20 minutes of the race, with a €100 fee. The jury must give a written decision with its reasons. Skeleton licences are available from age 13.
How it works
- Jury: a president and two members, with technical delegates and material controllers.
- Final: decisions take effect at once and cannot be challenged.
- Protest steps: verbal within 5 minutes of the heat; written within 20 minutes of the race.
- No verbal protest: no written protest later.
- Fee: €100, returned if the protest is upheld.
- Written ruling: the protest, the rules considered, the reasoning and the vote.
- Licence: from age 13; under-18s need certified parental consent.
- Sanctions: warning, fine, disqualification or a request to suspend.
The glossary has the protest, the DSQ, the DQB, the quota, the official training and the ranking list.
Tricky cases
Can a skeleton athlete get a licence at 13?
Yes. Skeleton licences start at 13, earlier than bobsleigh's 15.
A protest is lodged without a verbal warning. Accepted?
No.
Who breaks a tied jury vote?
The jury president.
How many crash-free training heats are needed to race?
Two.
Why the rule exists
Quick, final decisions keep a race moving between heats. A written ruling lets every nation see why a protest was decided as it was.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Skeleton protests | Written ruling required | IBSF 10.19 |
| Licence age | 13 | IBSF 8.4 |
| Bobsleigh licence | 15 | IBSF Bobsleigh 8.4 |
From the rule book
IBSF, International Rules Skeleton (September 2026), articles 6, 8.4, 8.10, 10.1 and 10.19. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IBSF International Rules, issued each season.