lugers

Lugers are athletes who compete in luge, a winter sliding sport in which competitors descend an icy track on a small sled while lying on their backs and going feet-first. Steering is achieved by shifting body weight and applying pressure with the legs and shoulders to influence the sled's path and speed.

Races take place on artificial tracks with banked curves and high-speed sections. The start is a fast, explosive sprint from the start house, after which athletes settle into a streamlined position on the sled. Times are recorded to the hundredth of a second, and races are won by the lowest elapsed time down the track.

Events include men's singles, women's singles, and doubles (a two-person sled). A team relay event has been added to major competitions and the Olympics in recent years.

Luge is governed internationally by the International Luge Federation (FIL). The sport has been part of the Winter Olympic Games since 1964 (Innsbruck). The World Cup circuit and World Championships are the primary annual competitions for lugers.

Historically, lugers from Germany and Austria have dominated the sport, with athletes such as Georg Hackl and Felix Loch achieving multiple titles. Other successful lugers have emerged from Italy, Russia, and North America.