Fifteen years old Bobsleigh (IBSF)/Minimum age: 15 years. Athletes must be 15 years old to earn an IBSF International License. The World Bobsleigh and Toboggan Federation license system requires that athletes be at least 16 years old by January 1 of the year they want to compete. The brakeman sits on the inside front runner with his or her legs extended out in front of them. They pull a rope attached to a metal ring called a stanchion. This causes the brakes to apply force to the bottom of the sled making it slow down or stop. The driver sits behind the brakeman and pulls a rope called a towline connected to the rear end of the sled. They control the speed by tugging on the line. Bobsleigh is not as dangerous as it seems. There are three types of collisions that can happen during a race: the driver can hit a curve too fast and crash into the side of the track; the driver can run into another vehicle; or the driver can fall off the sled and be injured. All drivers must have a full medical evaluation before they are allowed to drive. They are required to provide proof of physical fitness to drive.