river of ice
🎧Audio version
Imagine a river of pure ice, frozen in time, cascading down the mountainside. That was the Trebević Bobsleigh and Luge Track, a masterpiece of engineering for the 1984 Winter Olympics. More than just a course for the world’s best athletes, this concrete giant was designed to be a playground for everyone, a true symbol of the Sarajevo Games.
Sarajevo's Backyard
Long before the Olympics, Trebević was the city's favorite escape. For generations, Sarajevans came here for picnics, fresh air, and stunning views of the city below. The iconic cable car, first opened in 1959, made the journey effortless, whisking visitors from the bustling city center to the peaceful mountain forests in just 12 minutes. The mountain had a long tradition of winter fun, with locals enjoying a type of sledding called liguranje, and the new track was built to revive this beloved winter spirit among Sarajevo's inhabitants.
A Technological Marvel
Creating this track was a monumental task, completed between June 1981 and the end of 1982. Led by local engineer Gorazd Bučar—whose name was famously mispronounced as "Boreisa Bouchard" by an American announcer, creating a myth that lasted for years—and experts from the German company Dayle, the design was revolutionary. It was the first track in the world built using "shotcrete," a method where concrete was sprayed onto a steel frame, saving significant time and money.
The result was a daunting 1,570-meter course with 13 challenging curves. With an average gradient of over 10%, it was one of the fastest and steepest tracks in the world. Athletes hurtled down at speeds over 100 km/h, experiencing forces up to 3G—three times their own body weight! Its speed was legendary, and even experienced Olympians found it a challenge; during one official training session, four different bobsleds overturned.
The "Sarajevo Model"
What truly made the Trebević track unique was its clever design, which earned it the nickname the "Sarajevo Model." Using a system of simple mechanical dividers, the massive course could be split into three smaller, separate tracks of varying difficulty. This brilliant innovation meant that while champions competed for gold medals on one section, children and families could be safely sledding for fun on another.
| Technical Data | Bobsleigh | Luge Men | Luge Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 1,108.50 m | 1,111.95 m | 1,082.45 m |
| Finish | 982.60 m | 982.60 m | 982.60 m |
| Vertical Drop | 125.90 m | 129.35 m | 99.85 m |
| Length | 1,245 and 1,300 m | 1,210.00 m | 993.00 m |
| Total Length with Stopping Zone | 1,532 m | 1,245 m + 287 m | 1,028 m + 287 m |
| Number of Turns — Left | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| Number of Turns — Right | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| Average Gradient | 10.2 % | 10.2 % | 10.2 % |
| Maximum Gradient | 15.0 % | 15.0 % | 15.0 % |
| Minimum Gradient | 1.0 % | 1.0 % | 1.0 % |
It was a track built for both Olympians and ordinary people. The special six-seater recreational sleds called "Vučko bobs" provided tourists with a thrilling, safe ride down the ice. This philosophy—blending world-class sport with community recreation—perfectly captured the open and welcoming spirit of the '84 Games.
