LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The United States’ cross country ski team may be focused on next February’s Olympic Winter Games, in PyeongChang, South Korea, but it also has its eye on the future. And that future has never looked brighter.

From March 3-11, the nation’s best up and coming Nordic skiers take center stage when they compete in the 2017 Cross Country Junior National Championships, being held in Lake Placid, N.Y.

“These are the very best aspiring American junior Nordic ski racers. All of them are 20 years-old and younger,” said race director Kris Cheney-Seymour.  “Fans will be treated to a glimpse of the future for Team USA as these athletes race for national titles, which one day could lead them to a spot on a world or Olympic team.”

Ten national titles and one international crown are at stake for the more than 400 athletes and 125 coaches participating in the eight-day event at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. Built to host the 1980 Olympic Winter Games’ Nordic events, Mt. Van Hoevenberg’s trail system continues to hold its place as a world class destination for Nordic sports.

“For many of the athletes this is the most important race that they’ll ever compete in. Since this trail system was built for the 1980 Games, it should be a unique challenge to everyone competing,” noted Cheney-Seymour.

He continued, “These trails will bring out the very best in everyone. To be crowned a junior national champion is an accomplishment that these athletes will have an opportunity to achieve, and to obtain that goal here, in Lake Placid, will truly be special.”

Athletes from 21 states, as far away as Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, begin arriving Friday, March 3, to start official training Sunday, March 5.

“It’s a testament to how Nordic skiing has grown over the last several years,” Cheney-Seymour added. “Sure the sport remains popular in places like Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, New England and Upstate New York, but skiing is also gaining in popularity where you might not necessarily think of.”

The 2017 Cross Country Junior National Championships’ opening ceremony is also slated for Sunday and racing gets underway with the Interval Start Freestyle (10km/5km) events, Monday, March 6.

A complete listing of the 2017 Cross Country Junior National Championships' schedule can be founding by visiting http://www.whiteface.com/events/xc-junior-national-championships.

Fans can also follow the action on Facebook, xcjuniornationals2017, and by using the Hashtag #lakeplacidjrnationals.

For complete information about all of the activities and events held on ORDA’s Olympic venues, log on to www.WhitefaceLakePlacid.Com.

Media covering the event must return the attached media credential request form no later than Friday, February 24, 2017 for consideration. Credential request forms must be returned to Jon Lundin, ORDA communications, Email, jlundin@orda.org.

Photo and Caption: Mt. Van Hoevenberg staff prepare for the upcoming cross country junior national championships, by moving recently made Snowfactory snow onto the race course trails. Photo of courtesy ORDA/ Whiteface Lake Placid.

-- 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.