About Luge Become an Official Become a Coach Links to Luge Related Sites History of Luge Printer Friendly Version Although the sport of luge is sometimes thought of as being relatively new, sled racing is actually one of the oldest of all the winter sports. The Vikings used sleds with two runners as early as 800 BC. The oldest sleds, which are still intact from this era, come from the "Oseberg" boat, the Viking boat that was salvaged in 1904 in the Slagen countryside near Oslo Fjord, Norway. The word "luge" comes from the French word for "sled," while in Germany it is known as "rodel," and it is in the alpine countries of Europe that the sport first thrived. Frank Masley 10-time national champion Cameron Myles carried the American Flag into the 1994 OWG Opening Ceremonies. In 1957, in Davos, Switzerland, delegates from 13 countries established their own international governing body with the formation of the Federation Internationale de Luge de Course (F.I.L.). Duncan Kennedy slid in three Olympic Winter Games. | |
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