With women competing in doubles in luge for the first time, here's what to know about the fastest sport in the Winter Olympics

Germany is expected to once again dominate the medal count in luge, but the U.S. could pull off a surprise or two, especially in the women's events.

Luge has been a Winter Olympics staple since 1964. Check out information on the format, scoring, rules, and more now.

Luge made its Olympic debut in 1964, where athletes race feet first on a sled at speeds exceeding 80 miles per hour. Competitors complete four runs over two days and their cumulative times determine their rankings, with gold awarded for the lowest total time.

Nobody knows for certain when luge — the French word for sled — started, since nobody surely took note of the first time someone slid feet-first down a slope. Some say the 15th century, with evidence that there were races in Norway around that time.