Lake Placid (pps) The bronze medalists at the 2007 World Championships Mark Grimmette/Brian Martin headline a group of 17 sliders announced to USA Luge’s team for the Viessmann Luge World Cups of the upcoming season. In addition to the two-time medalists at Olympic Winter Games (bronze in 1998 and silver in 2002), 15 other athletes will be part of the 2007/2008 US team: three doubles teams, three men and eight women.

Bengt Walden, who had finished on rank 13 at the World Championships in Igls at that time still for his home country of Sweden, also made it to USA’s national luge team. Besides Walden, Tony Benshoof, who was fourth at the Olympic Winter Games and third at the Viessmann World Cup in Altenberg in the past winter, and Chris Mazdzer, who was ranked third in last year’s overall Junior World Cup, are part of the team.

Erin Hamlin, silver medalist at the Suzuki Challenge Cup in Park City in the 2006/2007 season, leads the women’s singles team. The national team includes, among others, Courtney Zablocki, 2006 Olympic fourth placer, and Ashley Hayden, fourth at the 2005 World Championships.