Current bobsled spikes lack innovation, design, and traction on the ice. While looking at the start of bobsledding, I observed athletes were slipping in their toe-off phase. Creating better traction for the toe off phase will help produce more energy to push the bobsled. I researched available pressure maps of the foot while sprinting. This helped influence the design of the pin layouts on the bottom to create better traction. I conducted a comparative test using a 3D printed baseline design and my redesigned plate. I attached a force gauge to each design and pulled it on a block of ice. The results concluded that my redesign created better traction than the baseline design.
Pressure map data provided by Dr. Bruce Williams, DPM
