The Cresta Run - The Grand National

While Sochi has attracted the world's top luge and skeleton riders for the Winter Olympics, St Moritz in Switzerland has just held the important Grand National Cresta Run for toboggan riders. Riders made three runs down the course, which has ten corners and is 0.75 miles (1.2 kms) long. Riders can reach speeds of 75 mph (120 kph). The winner was Lord Clifton Wrottesley, a peer from Galway on Ireland's West coast. It is his fourth Grand National win, and he is the only competitor to win the club's grand slam (the Morgan, Curzon and Grand National events) three times. Wrottesley has had Olympic success, coming fourth in the skeleton race at Salt Lake City in 2002. Unlike a bobsled track, which is man-made with high-banked corners, The Cresta Run is hand-made from the snow with no concrete or wood support. Every spring the track melts away and has to be constructed again by hand once the winter snow returns. As it lacks high banking, the Cresta riders frequently crash over the bank and off the course. One corner, Shuttlecock, is notorious for causing crashes. Every competitor who crashes at Shuttlecock automatically becomes a member of the Shuttlecock Club, and is entitled to wear a special tie. The Cresta Run held its first major race in 1885 and was orginally started by the English who congregated at St Moritz for its winter sports and high life. Cresta riders now come from around the world and anyone who rides the course is automatically a temporary member of the St Moritz toboggan club where much champagne is consumed.