LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The first intersection on the road to PyeongChang takes the world’s best bobsled and skeleton athletes through Lake Placid, N.Y. This Thursday and Friday, Nov. 9-10, more than 130 athletes, from 24 countries compete in the BMW IBSF Bobsled and Skeleton World Cup series opener and the top men and women from this event will move into the passing lane as they try to qualify for February’s Olympic Winter Games.

BMW IBSF World Cup Lake Placid Schedule:

Thursday, Nov. 9

8:30 a.m. – Women’s Skeleton

12:30 p.m. – Women’s Bobsled

3:30 p.m. – Two-man Bobsled

Friday, Nov. 10

8:30 a.m. – Men’s Skelton

1 p.m. – Four-man Bobsled

Thursday and Friday’s races, at the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex, are the first events of an eight stop series that carries the athletes through the United States, Canada, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, all ahead of the Olympic Winter Games’ Opening Ceremony.

U.S. military veterans receive free admission into the event, 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.

If you cannot make it to Lake Placid to watch the exciting action in person, be sure to catch all of the action on the Olympic Channel and NBCSN. Check your local listing for times and dates.

Athletes to Watch:

Men’s Skeleton

John Daly, USA, Two-time Olympian

Alexander Gassner, GER, 2010 Junior World Champion

Martins Dukurs, LAT, Two-time Olympic medalist and five-time World Champion

Women’s Skeleton

Katie Uhlaender, USA, Three-time Olympian, 2012 World Champion

Lizzy Yarnold, GBR, Reigning Olympic Champion

Janine Flock, AUT, 2015 Overall World Cup Champion

Women’s Bobsled

Elana Meyer, USA, Two-time Olympic Medalist

Jamie Greubel-Poser, USA, 2014 Olympic Bronze Medalist

Kallie Humphries, CAN, Two-time Olympic Champion

Men’s Bobsled

Nick Cunningham, USA, Two-time Olympian

Justin Olsen, USA, 2010 Olympic Champion, Two-time Olympian

Justin Kripps, CAN, Two-time World Championship Silver Medalist

For more information about all of the events on ORDA’s Lake Placid Olympic venues, visit www.whiteface.com.

-- 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.