World Naked Sledging Title

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Thousands of spectators gathered to watch the annual naked sledging championships in Germany on Saturday. Not to be put off by the mild temperatures, an artificial ski slope was created.

Contenders, clad only in underpants, a helmet, boots and gloves, contended for the fastest time, sliding down a custom-built 25-metre ramp of artificial snow on an inflated rubber ring.

Anika Langsfeld, 24, from Saxony-Anhalt became the women’s world naked sledging champion, beating 20 competitors from various countries at the bizarre competition held near Magdeburg.

While the 13 degree C temperatures may not have been too punishing, the topless would-be-champions tried their luck in front of around 8,000 spectators on artificial snow.

Germany’s reigning “jungle queen” Melanie Müller from Leipzig, who became the latest winner of the German version of “I’m a celebrity, get me out of here!” in early February, lost out in the semi-finals.

And this year the event featured its first ever British team, according to website Chilli Sauce.

It reported it had recruited plucky Brits, Holly Garshong, 29, and 21-year-old soldier Thomas Chrusciel out of over 500 applicants.

But the British were swiftly dispatched by the competition with Garshong knocked out in the first round by home favourite Müller.

Chrusciel fell in the second round to 25-year-old Maurice Berg from Lower Saxony, who went on to win the men’s competition. The winners won €1,000 each.