USA Luge begins race-off process

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- USA Luge's final international racing squad, and eventually its 10-member Olympic team, will begin to take shape with a series of race-offs beginning Wednesday, Oct. 21, in Lake Placid, N.Y.  The second race-off on the 20-turn, mile-long Mt. Van Hoevenberg course is slated for Friday, Oct. 23.

Following the two races and the first round of cuts, the race-off series will move out to Park City, Utah, where the team will be pared down again following a November 6 race-off.  The final cuts will be made on November 15, during a week of international training in Whistler, Canada.

In the end, USA Luge's fall 2009 team will feature 15 athletes (four men's singles, five women's singles and three doubles teams).  These 15 athletes will then use the four World Cup events as qualifiers for the 2010 Olympic team. Athletes who miss making the squad will have the option of training in Lake Placid for the bulk of the remaining fall, winter and spring sliding season.

For more on the USA Luge National Team selection race-off series, visit http://usaluge.org/team/RaceOffFormat0910Final%20(4).pdf

For more on the USA Luge Olympic qualifying procedure, visit http://www.usaluge.org/team/WOG%202010%20FlowChart1%200.pdf

Regularly updated training times can be found at www.usaluge.org

MEDIA ADVISORY: Members of the media who wish to attend the race-off and team training are encouraged to contact USA Luge's Gordy Sheer at 518.523.2071 ext. 102. Athletes will be available following their sessions.

Senior National Team Sliding Schedule through Friday, Oct. 23 (subject to change):

Thursday, Oct. 15:       2 - 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 16:            8:30 - 10 a.m.

Saturday, Oct 17:         8 - 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, Oct. 18:          8 - 10 a.m.

Monday, Oct. 19:         9 - 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 20:        8 - 10 a.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 21:   8 - 10 a.m. (Race-off #1)

Thursday, Oct. 22:       9 - 11 a.m.

Friday, Oct. 23:            8 - 10 a.m. (Race-off #2)

Tags: USA Luge