LAKE PLACID (AP) -- Opening ceremonies are set for the Olympic Center in Lake Placid for the Empire State Winter Games.
Chris Mazdzer of the U.S. luge team is the keynote speaker as the biggest winter weekend of the season in the Olympic village gets under way Thursday evening.
Over 1,100 athletes have registered to compete in 18 disciplines that will be contested in four townships and two counties for the 33rd year.
World Cup luge also returns to Mount Van Hoevenberg on Friday and Saturday for the first time since November 2007.
Erin Hamlin of Remsen, whose luge world championships win in women's singles four years ago at her home track ended a 99-race winning streak by the German women, will be looking for that elusive first World Cup win.
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