Figure Skating in Harlem figure skaters Emily Delbrum, Nadia Neil, Adrianna Walker and Ariynna Peal Tuesday, Jan. 3 helped to unveil the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games medal ceremonial Jacket, which will be worn by medal presenters during each of the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games’ medal ceremonies. The jacket was designed and created by students from New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology. (Provided photo — Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games Organizing Committee)

LAKE PLACID — Officials at the Adirondack Sports Council — the organizing committee for the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Winter World University Games — continue to put all the pieces into place for the event, which begins with hockey competition on Wednesday, Jan. 11 and the opening ceremony the following evening and runs through Jan. 22.

Meanwhile, as a warm spell with rain caused some winter venues to temporarily close and events to be canceled over the weekend — including the Skate into the New Year at the Olympic Speedskating Oval on New Year’s Eve — organizers of the 2023 Games are confident that there will be enough snow and cold weather during the event to successfully host outdoor sports competitions.

“Looking at the long-range forecast, we’re looking at some cold and winter weather,” said the Games’ communications director Jon Lundin, who remembers similar weather prior to the 1980 Olympic Winter Games while growing up in Lake Placid. “There always seems to be that pre-lighting of the cauldron curse for major international events like this. … It always feels warmer than it should be for winter, and then when the cauldron is lit, the winter weather settles in.”

In all, more than 1,400 collegiate-athletes ages 17-25 from 44 countries will participate in more than 80 medal events in 12 sports: Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, curling, freestyle and freeski, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, snowboard, ski jumping, speedskating and short-track speedskating.

In addition to Lake Placid, events will also be held in Saranac Lake, Wilmington, North Creek, Canton and Potsdam.

More than 70 vehicles — to be used for officials during the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Winter World University Games — were parked at the North Elba Show Grounds on Tuesday, Jan. 3. The Show Grounds will be the transportation hub for spectators from Jan. 12 to 22, and a free shuttle will be offering rides to the municipal parking lot near the post office 24 hours a day while Main Street is closed around the Olympic Center and through the heart of the business district, from Saranac Avenue to the Grand Adirondack Hotel. (News photo — Andy Flynn)

With Main Street closed to most traffic from 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12 to 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23, shuttles will be available to transport people to the main parking lot near the post office. That includes the regular buses from Essex and Franklin counties and a free FISU shuttle from the North Elba Show Grounds, which will run 24 hours a day during the Games.

The Show Grounds will be the transportation hub for the Games spectators.

More than 70 vehicles were parked at the Show Grounds earlier this week, some with Lake Placid 2023 logos on the doors, and they will be used for officials during the Games.

“We have technical officials that will be using some vehicles and FISU family and other heads of delegations,” Lundin said.

Games’ organizers approached the Lake Placid Village Board of Trustees a few times in recent months seeking approval for various events that will take place during the Main Street festival, which will run for the duration of the Games. On Tuesday, Jan. 3, committee members Ashley Walden, Michelle Preston, Katie Wilson and Greg Borzilleri returned to the board to seek permission for their rail jam events that are expected take place on the weekends during the Games. The board approved a conceptual plan for the rail jam, pending the completion of proper insurance papers and athlete registration by the organizers.

The ski jumps in Lake Placid are seen on Tuesday, with plenty of snow still left despite the warm weather. (News photo — Andy Flynn)

The village board in the past has approved a concept plan for the Main Street festival, a noise ordinance variance for live music that will take place in Mids Park and a permit to put on a drone-powered fireworks display.

For more information, visit www.lakeplacid2023.com.

More than 70 vehicles — to be used for officials during the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Winter World University Games — were parked at the North Elba Show Grounds on Tuesday, Jan. 3. The Show Grounds will be the transportation hub for spectators from Jan. 12 to 22, and a free shuttle will be offering rides to the municipal parking lot near the post office 24 hours a day while Main Street is closed around the Olympic Center and through the heart of the business district, from Saranac Avenue to the Grand Adirondack Hotel. (News photo — Andy Flynn)