Lake Placid (pps) The artificial track in Lake Placid, New York, was iced as early as hardly ever before. Since Monday, October 6, the members of the U.S. national luge team have been able to train at the track at Mount van Houvenberg, where the 41st World Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL) will be held from February 6 to 8, 2009. Two weeks after the FIL, the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (FIBT) will stage the federation’s World Championships at the same place.

Lake Placid will host FIL World Championships for the second time after 1983. In 2000, the existing combined luge, bobsleigh and skeleton track was opened on the occasion of the Goodwill Games. The ice track five miles outside Lake Placid is one mile long and comprises 20 curves from the men’s start.