WILMINGTON, New York ??” The United States Luge Association, Verizon and the New York Olympic Regional Development Authority will collaborate to bring the thrill of luge racing to Whiteface visitors on March 12-13 from 9 am to 2 pm daily.

The Verizon Luge Challenge is a ride you will never forget. Skiers, boarders and patrons in general are invited to take the short walk from the Whiteface Base Lodge to the Round-A-Bout trail and learn the art of luge from athletes such as 1998 and 2002 bronze and silver medalists, respectively, Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin. This duo, riding the most successful sled in U.S. history, will be your coaches this weekend.

In addition, other guest coaches will include: Tony Benshoof, a 2002 Olympian and winner of 19 international medals; 2002 Olympian and 2005 World Cup medalist Ashley Hayden; Julia Clukey; Jonathan Myles; and Dan Joye, a two-time Junior World Champion.

The Verizon Luge Challenge is free of charge and open to everyone. You don’t have to purchase a lift ticket or pay any fees to participate. Don’t ski or ride? No worries. Come anyway. Just make sure to dress for the weather and hop on a sled.

Each winter, the Verizon Luge Challenge gives thousands of people age 10 and up a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of luge first-hand at popular ski resorts around the country. Over 12,000 fans have received this experience since 1996 through the Verizon Luge Challenge. It’s an exhilarating way to get acquainted with the fastest of the winter sports in a fun, family-oriented atmosphere.

Participants are given the chance to speed down a simulated luge track carved into a ski slope, riding plastic replicas of the real luge sleds. And with Grimmette and Martin as well as other U.S. Luge Team members, you will receive expert instructional advice and training demonstrations.

Those who show the most promise will have an opportunity to become an international luge athlete. Four grand prize winners from the season-long program will be invited to participate in either a luge fantasy camp for adults or a U.S. Developmental Team screening camp for children in Lake Placid. For the first time, future medal-winners could emerge from the Verizon Luge Challenge. Coaches will be looking for talented 11- to 14-year-olds to attend the Lake Placid screening camps, while the fastest adults from the men’s and women’s 18-years-and-older category will be entered to win the fantasy camp spots.

The Verizon Luge Challenge provides the public an interactive setting to shake hands with some of the top performers in the sport. Try luge for fun or race for some great prizes. Either way, the Verizon Luge Challenge is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won’t soon forget.

Fans can learn more about the sport of luge by visiting www.usaluge.org. For more information on ORDA venues and events, and to view web cams from five locations, please log on to www.orda.org.