ORDA Prepared to Accept Nomination to Host IBSF Bobsled & Skeleton World Championships 2025 in Lake Placid

ORDA Collaborating with the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation and USABS to Plan for Future World Championships in Lake Placid

Facility Upgrades Continue at ORDA in Preparation for World University Games 2023

Lake Placid, New York – The IBSF announced today that Lake Placid will no longer be the host of the 2021 BMW IBSF Bobsled & Skeleton World Championships due to travel restrictions that have been implemented to ensure the health and safety of all athletes given the global pandemic.  The 2021 IBSF World Championships were planned to be held in Lake Placid from February 5-14, 2021 but have been moved to Altenberg, Germany to protect the health of athletes and spectators across the globe.  

“We have discussed this decision extensively within the Executive Committee and have coordinated it closely with the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), as well as USA Bobsled and Skeleton.” said Heike Groesswang, Secretary General, IBSF.   “The decision wasn’t easy as you can imagine, the bulk of athletes competing in the championships are based in Europe, so our strategy was to have less time spent in quarantine.  The Organizing Committee has already done incredible work showing their unique passion to set the best stage for our athletes in Lake Placid, the birthplace of our sports in North America.” Groesswang said.

ORDA and New York State have been actively working since 2017 to upgrade and modernize the facilities in anticipation for the 2021 World Championships – including the recent completion of the new luge push track facility and the re-construction of the Mountain Pass Lodge which includes a state of the art indoor push track at the base of the Lake Placid Sliding Center.  With this recent news, ORDA is eager to continue the modernization of its venues for the World University Games 2023 and for the World Championships in 2025. 

“Lake Placid has hosted 11 World Championships and we were looking forward to hosting another in 2021.” said Mike Pratt, ORDA President and CEO. “As we change courses, we are eager to continue our move forward with our projects, as we actively plan with the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation to determine the next World Championship for Lake Placid.” Pratt said. 

Team USA athletes will continue to prepare for this incredibly important Pre-Olympic Season in Lake Placid and will send national teams to Europe for World Cup competitions and World Championships. “We respect the IBSF’s strategy to put World Championships in Europe so that inter-country travel is reduced out of concern for the safety and health of all athletes and officials.” Aron McGuire, CEO of USABS, said.  “We will still have a full season of training, development and regional competitions in Lake Placid and look forward to getting on the new indoor push track facility, which will be a tremendous benefit to the athletes.” McGuire said. 

“It is a heartbreaking decision for the IBSF as Lake Placid is a key-player in our competition planning but due to timelines and the travel restriction in place we had to make a decision. The IBSF Executive Committee fully supports the application by Lake Placid to host the World Championships in 2025. On behalf of the IBSF I want to thank all parties involved for their close cooperation and understanding in the best interest of our sports and athletes.”, states IBSF President Ivo Ferriani, “Equally, we want to thank all Race Organizers worldwide for showing their interest to host the World Championships given the short time for preparation which shows their great commitment.” said Ferriani.

Pending final ratification by the IBSF Congress, ORDA, IBSF and USABS look forward to working collectively as they continue to prepare for the 2025 World Championships event in Lake Placid, New York. 

The IBSF Executive Committee further approved the request by Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) and USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation as hosts of the tracks in North America, to start the season of the North American Series in January 2021 only. 

The updated calendar for the 2020/21 season will be published later on today.

                                                                                    -- 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.