LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Workers are beginning the process of putting ice down on the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex combined bobsled, luge and skeleton track in Lake Placid, N.Y., in anticipation of Monday’s, Oct. 1, opening day of sliding, weather and conditions permitting.   

The U.S. luge team will be the first squad to take to the ice when they open their two hour training at 8 a.m. They’ll be followed by the skeleton team, from 5-6 p.m., and bobsled athletes, from 7-9 p.m. These athletes will have only 11 days of training before they begin racing.  Both USA Luge and the United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation will begin their national team selection races Oct. 12. 

Attached to this advisory is the media credential request form to cover the opening month of sliding at the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex.  Media interested in covering bobsled, luge and skeleton training and racing must complete the form and return it to Jon Lundin, ORDA public relations, E-mail: jlundin@orda.org, Fax: 518-523-9275.

-- 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.