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Entries Tagged as 'orda'

Lake Placid Awarded 2012 Bobsled/Skeleton Worlds

December 9th, 2010 · No Comments · Adirondack News

FIBT World Cup Bobsled/Skeleton Racing Dec. 17-19

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — World championship bobsled and skeleton racing is coming to Lake Placid, N.Y. one year sooner than expected. Lake Placid and the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex track were awarded the 2013 Worlds during the FIBT’s 2009 Congress, but switched races with St. Moritz, Switzerland which was scheduled to host the 2012 event.

“The change was primarily made because of team travel to Sochi, Russia for international training in 2013,” said Jim Goff, New York State Olympic Regional Development (ORDA) director of events, who attended a meeting in Calgary, Canada where the decision was made. “The FIBT and its nations felt that it would be easier for the teams to travel to Sochi for Olympic training from St. Moritz rather than from Lake Placid.”

As a concession for changing the races, the FIBT awarded Lake Placid World Cup events for 2013 and 2014. “That was an important part to this change, and the FIBT did everything that they could to make that happen. I applaud them for that,” noted ORDA president/CEO Ted Blazer. “We wanted to be sure that Lake Placid remained on the World Cup calendar. This organization and everyone at the track is committed to providing the world’s best venue for international bobsled and skeleton racing and the international governing body recognizes that.”

While the exact dates for the 2012 world championships have not been set, the race is expected to be held in mid-February, 2012 on the 1,455 meter long course. The race’s slate will include men’s two-man and four-man bobsled events, women’s two-person bobsled and men’s and women’s skeleton action.

Lake Placid has had a long history of hosting world championship bobsled and skeleton racing, dating back to 1949 when the two-time Olympic village hosted the first world championship race held outside of Europe. Most recently, the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex track hosted the 2009 World Championships where U.S. pilot Steve Holcomb claimed the United States first four-man crown since 1959.

“Lake Placid continues to play a major role in the international bobsled community,” remarked Tony Carlino, the venue’s general manager. “Year after year these athletes want to return to this track and truly test every ounce of their skills. Although the event is just a year away, everyone at the track is up for the challenge and we’ll be ready to host the world again.”

Race fans won’t have to wait until 2012 to watch these athletes try to tame one of the world’s most technically demanding tracks. Instead, the world’s best bobsled and skeleton athletes will be in Lake Placid, Dec. 17-19, competing in the Viessmann FIBT World Cup bobsled/skeleton Lake Placid presented by Conceptum Logistics.

The event on the 20-curve course is the final stop on the four-race North American leg that has also taken the athletes back to the 2010 Olympic course in Whistler, Canada; Calgary, Canada and Park City, Utah. This event is also the final race before the holiday break and the start of the European swing.

The action begins Friday, Dec. 17, with the men’s and women’s skeleton events, followed by Saturday’s, Dec. 18, two-man and women’s bobsled races. The four-man race is slated for Sunday, Dec. 19. Daily Tickets are available for $8.00 for adults and $6.00 juniors and senior citizens. Anyone who brings a non-perishable food item for the Lake Placid Ecumenical food pantry will receive free entry. For tickets call the Olympic Sports Complex at 518-523-4436 or pick them up at the gate on event days.

For more information on the Dec. 17-19 Viessmann FIBT World Cup bobsled/skeleton Lake Placid presented by Conceptum Logistics, log on to http://www.whiteface.com/events/bobskel.php.

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ORDA Numbers Ignored by Media

April 23rd, 2007 · No Comments · News

A couple of recent articles have heralded visitor numbers to our local Olympic venues. One even headlines ORDA’s profitability. Luckily, the real numbers are available.

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Adirondack Bargaining Chips

March 22nd, 2007 · No Comments · News

Another curious appointment has been making the rounds a bit. Yeah, I know, Steamroller, “people’s mandate”, la la la. Let’s roll back the tape a bit.

Last December, Governor elect Steamroller criticized departing Governor Pataki as he made a wave of late patronage appointments for some loyal supporters. Well, no big surprise there. Of course we all expected the new boss to be outraged as he promised to “change the way things are done”. During a little check writing visit up here, Pataki generously announced $5 million dollars to fund a private committee – The Regional Winter Sports Committee.

Pataki seemed almost reflective as he presented $5 million to the not-for-profit Lake Placid Regional Sports Committee, headed by Alexander “Sandy” Treadwell, former New York secretary of state.

Treadwell accepted the financial gift on behalf of the organization and its board, including State Sen. Betty Little; Kay Stafford, wife of former State Sen. Ronald Stafford; Serge Lussi; Ed Wiebrecht; Jay Strack; Arthur Spiegel; and Elizabeth Lack. (via Press Republican)

With all the fuss about Grannis, yesterday’s news that David Catalfamo was named Executive Director of the Sports Commission sure is odd. I don’t think there is another person who could be better defined as a Pataki loyalist.

We’re really pleased to have Dave on board,” Treadwell, a former state Secretary of State and a former chairman of the New York State Republican Committee, said. “We’ve got somebody terrific leading the organization.”

Catalfamo had kind words for the LPRWSC board, which, as well as Treadwell, includes Serge Lussi, Edwin Weibrecht, Kay Stafford, state Sen. Betty Little and others.

“We’ve got a great board,” Catalfamo said. “They’re all pillars of the community and they bring a lot to the table.” (read:wealthy)

Wonder what happened to Spiegel? Guess he must have been busy at one of those Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century meetings. Those guys must be in deep conversation with the Governor now that healthcare is being targeted. Real deep conversation.

Why would Spitzer have approved this appointment?

Update: So, what’s the Winter Sports Committee done with its $5 million?

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