The trippy helmets of the Sochi skeleton races

One part protection, one part fashion accessory, one part pure intimidation

Eagle skeleton helmet
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch))

When you're hurling yourself head-first down a narrow, winding, ice-covered track, reaching speeds of up to 90 miles an hour, your helmet is surely your most coveted piece of equipment.

But for some of this year's skeleton Olympians, that sculpted bit of head padding has also become a rather intriguing fashion accessory. Whether painted to intimidate, confound, or make you go, "hmm," these racers' helmets are a welcome piece of eye candy during the whip-fast event. Check them out for yourself:

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Lauren Hansen

Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.