Luge sledding is the grown-up, sophisticated version of sledding – sleek in style, highly precise and really, really fast. A race occurs on two types of tracks, artificial or natural. It is a one- to three-person sport, requiring competitors (called “sliders”) to race against the clock by applying pressure to the sled runners with their calves and shoulders, gaining speed and changing direction.

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of luging, and according to luging legend the sport started to evolve from sledding in the mid-1800s in St Moritz, Switzerland. Hugely successful winter spa owner and entrepreneur Caspar Badrutt built a track for his hotel patrons who had taken to sledding down streets and alleys. These adventurous patrons had developed methods of steering to gain speed while avoiding pedestrians, and thus put into lasting effect the two positions of luge sledding: skeleton (prone, head first) and luge (supine, feet first). Badrutt’s track, built in about 1870, was known as the world’s first half-pipe. The sport had its first organized international meeting in 1883 and became an Olympic sport in 1964.

Luging is a very specialized sport, and to gain optimum performance its luge gear is specialized as well. The goal of luging is to beat the clock, and to achieve this requires light and very aerodynamic bodies, while protecting sliders against extreme cold temperatures and injury. While international rules only require a helmet, many sliders also wear a face shield, racing luge suit and shoes, and gloves. The helmet and face shield are constructed of shatter-proof materials, and provide the most protection from wind chills and injury. The luge suit (also called “speedsuit”) requires custom fitting and contains a special plastic layer to improve aerodynamics, and does not protect against cold. The gloves are made of tight-fitting leather, and an athlete may place spikes on the fingertips or knuckles to maximize grip and aid acceleration at the start of a race. The racing shoes, also known as “booties”, weigh 3.9 ounces each and are tread-less to improve aerodynamics. The most important piece of luge equipment, the sled, is a piece of highly specialized technology; each competing nation creates sleds for its team using secretive technology. There are only two companies that sell luge sleds on the open market, based in Latvia and Austria.

Like many winter sports, luging is for thrill- and speed-seekers, but its cost and specialization require a true passion and commitment to the sport.