Above: The Cresta Run Clubhouse, where I was to

learn about becoming a tobogganist.

speed from Top, will take around 45 seconds. A

complete novice is not allowed to go from Top

but can go from Junction and, if he doesn’t go

shooting off the run, will make it to Finish in

something between 65 and 75 seconds. Now

that’s still going to feel very fast.

While he thought that I was ‘mad as a box of
snakes’ for planning to break the world speed
record on my supersled, Lord Wrottesley was
full of encouragement about me having a go
on his beloved Cresta Run. He advised me to
pay close attention at the briefing, especially
when it came to learning the basic moves that

would help me to transfer my weight and steer

the toboggan. Those who ride the Cresta Run,

he explained, use toboggans and are known

as riders or tobogganists. To me that sounded

a bit like someone who sells fags and cigars,

but it actually marks an important difference

between those who ride the Cresta Run and

those who take part in bobsleigh or luge

races. Those who ride bobsleighs are called

bobsledders and, unlike bobsleighs, the Cresta

toboggans have no steering gear or brakes

and are for single riders. Luge riders are often

referred to as ‘sliders’ and, unlike the luge, you

ride the Cresta Run head first, not feet first.

The closest thing to a Cresta toboggan is the

skeleton bob, but on bobsleigh courses where

you might see the skeleton bob in action the

banking on the run is curled over to help hold

riding the cresta run    219