LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The U.S. luge team introduces its 10 nominees to the 2018 Olympic team, Saturday night, Dec. 16, but first the squad faces off against 24 other nations when the Viessmann Luge World Cup and BMW Sprint Cup return to Lake Placid, N.Y. this Friday and Saturday. This is the final World Cup stop before the holiday break and the last series’ race in which athletes can qualify for February’s Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Athletes began qualifying for the Olympic luge competition when the World Cup series opened Nov. 18-19 in Igls, Austria. The series also visited Winterberg, Germany and Altenberg, Germany before beginning its North American swing last Friday and Saturday in Calgary, Canada.

Past and current Olympic champions and medalists will be among the 125-plus athletes competing on the famed one-mile long course. While many have already secured their spot in the upcoming winter Games, some are still looking to qualify.

Viessmann World Cup Luge Lake Placid Schedule:

Friday, Dec. 15

10 a.m. – Doubles Luge 1^st Run

11:20 a.m. – Doubles Luge 2^nd Run

12:40 p.m. – Men’s Singles Luge 1^st Run

2:15 p.m. – Men’s Singles Luge 2^nd Run

Saturday, Nov. 16

9:30 a.m. – Women’s Singles Luge 1^st Run

10:50 a.m. – Women’s Singles Luge 2^nd Run

12:05 p.m. – Doubles Luge Sprint Cup

12:45 p.m. – Women’s Singles Luge Sprint Cup

1:30 p.m. – Men’s Singles Luge Sprint Cup

U.S. military veterans receive free admission into the World Cup, while tickets purchased online are $12 for adults and $6 for juniors and seniors. Tickets at the gate are priced at $16 for adults and $10 for juniors and seniors. Season pass holders for Belleayre, Gore, Whiteface and Mt. Van Hoevenberg also receive free admission.

Stop by Lake Placid’s Mid’s Park this Thursday, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., enjoy free Sliders from White Castle’s Crave Mobile and receive free tickets to the race, while supplies last. The Crave Mobile and Cheesy Does It will also be serving food at the track, Friday and Saturday.

Athletes to Watch:

Men’s Singles Luge:

Felix Loch, GER, Two-Time Olympic Champion
Wolfgang Kindl, AUT, 2016 Overall World Cup Silver Medalist
Tucker West, USA, 2014 Olympian
Chris Mazdzer, USA, Two-Time Olympian

Women’s Singles Luge:

Natalie Geisenberger, GER, 2014 Olympic Champion
Tatjana Huefner, GER, 2010 Olympic Champion
Erin Hamlin, USA, 2014 Olympic Bronze Medalist

Doubles Luge:

Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt, GER, 2014 Olympic Champions
Andreas Sics/Juris Sics, LAT, 2014 Olympic Bronze Medalists
Matt Mortensen/Jayson Terdiman, USA, 2017 Overall World Cup Bronze Medalists

-- ORDA --

Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates Whiteface, Belleayre and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; the Olympic speed skating oval, Olympic jumping complex and Olympic arena. As host to international and national championships, the Authority has brought millions of athletes, spectator and participants to the region, resulting in significant economic development.