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Racing leathers worn by George Orton while street luge racing

Object Details

Description (Brief)
These racing leathers were worn by George Orton during his street luge and downhill racing career. Orton began skateboarding in the early 1970s and is credited with assisting Tony Alva in creating the front side air, the first vertical aerial move in pool skating which paved the way for new tricks to develop above the coping ledge of the pool. Orton had a successful career as a pool and half pipe skater but retired from skateboarding in the early 1980s. He returned in the late 1990s to begin his career as a street luge and downhill skater. Since his entrance into luge and downhill he has made a name for himself as the wearer of colorful helmets with his “eyeball” downhill helmet and his “shark” street luge helmet. He competed in the 1997 X-Games in San Diego as well as winning medals at the 2000 Gravity Games, the 1999 St. George Grand Prix and the 2000 Grand Prix X-Mass Luge.
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Museum of American History
user
Orton, George
date made
1990s-2000s
Physical Description
leather (overall material)
metal (overall material)
nylon (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 63 in x 22 in; 160.02 cm x 55.88 cm
Object Name
racing leathers, skateboarding
racing leathers
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