Lake Placid (pps) On top of the preliminary US team for the Viessmann World Cup series in the upcoming winter are the 2002 Olympic silver medalists and bronze medalists at the 2005 World Championships, Mark Grimmette/Brian Martin. Besides the 1998 Olympic bronze medalists, the US luge federation has already pre-nominated for the World Cup season Ashley Hayden (fourth at World Championships), Courtney Zablocki (tenth at World Championships), Tony Benshoof (seventh at World Championships), and Christian Niccum, silver medalist at the US championships. Niccum has also been seeded in doubles together with Patrick Quinn.

Preston Griffal/Dan Joye and Matthew Mortensen/Garon Thorne are expected to fight for the single available doubles place in the team in an internal elimination process. As many as six athletes (Jonathan Myles, Chris Mazdzer, Matthew Mortensen, Patrick Anderson, Larry Dolan, and Logan Gastio) apply for the two available places in the men’s singles team. For women’s singles, Brenna Margol, Julia Clukey, Samantha Retrosi, Erin Hamlin, and Megan Sweeney will race for the two last tickets.