lugeing

Lugeing is a winter sliding sport in which an athlete rides a small, narrow sled down an artificial ice track at high speed. The rider lies on their back, feet forward, head first, steering by shifting body weight and by applying pressure with the shoulders and hips on the sled. In doubles lugeing, two athletes ride on the same sled, one in front of the other, coordinating movements to control speed and direction.

Modern lugeing grew from alpine traditions in Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The sport is governed internationally by the International Luge Federation (FIL), which standardizes track specifications, equipment, and competition formats. Luge has been part of the Winter Olympic Games since 1964, a key event in which singles and doubles races are held on artificial tracks.

Competitive lugeing events include men's singles, women's singles, and doubles. Races are typically decided by the total time over multiple runs; in Olympic competition, each athlete or team makes multiple runs down the same track, and the fastest aggregate time wins. Tracks are refrigerated, artificial ice courses with banked turns and long straight sections; elite tracks reach high speeds, often exceeding 140 kilometers per hour.

Competitors wear aerodynamic bodysuits, helmets, and gloves; the sled consists of a lightweight frame with two steel runners. Players start with a rapid push-off before assuming a prone position on the sled, then steer using subtle body movements and the runners. Safety considerations include track design, equipment standards, and protective gear due to the high speeds and potential crashes.