Two luge World Cup races will be held in Koenigssee, Germany

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) -- The International Luge Federation says the track in Koenigssee, Germany, will host two World Cup races this season because the 2006 Olympic track in Italy has been closed.

Koenigssee will host on Dec. 1-2 in place of competition at Cesana Pariol, Italy. Koenigssee will host again on Jan. 5-6.

While one Olympic track is shutting down, another is opening. Luge athletes from the U.S. and other nations will train next week at the course for the 2014 Sochi Games.

USA Luge athletes are scheduled to fly Friday from New York to Russia for the 10-day Sochi training camp. Their sleds and other equipment were shipped last weekend to avoid any complications caused by the storm that slammed the Northeast in recent days.