The FIBT World Championships 1966 took place in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy for the sixth time, having hosted the event previously in 1937 (Two-man), 1939 (Four-man), 1950, 1954, and 1960.
The Four-man event was cancelled following the death of West Germany's Toni Pensperger during competition.
Pensperger would be awarded a posthumous gold medal from the FIBT along with his surviving teammates Ludwig Siebert, Helmut Werzer, and Roland Ebert.
As of 2010[update], Pensperger's death would set the FIBT to increase and improve safety among all bobsleigh competitions at all levels, including the Winter Olympics and the World championships.
Pensperger was awarded a posthumous gold medal along with his grieving teammates (Siebert, Werzer, and Ebert).