Crossword Genius

Small racing toboggan stopped by drift’s first soft snow (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sludge

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'soft snow' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both substances as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'small racing toboggan stopped by drift's first' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'racing toboggan' becomes 'luge' (I've seen this before).
'stopped by' is an insertion indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'drift's first' becomes 'd' (1st letter of 'drift').
'luge' enclosing 'd' is 'ludge'.
's'+'ludge'='SLUDGE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sludge that I've seen before include "Gloop, gunk, muck" , "'Muck, slime (6)'" , "Mire - sewage" , "Dirty oil; soft wet mud" , "Thick, soft, wet mud" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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