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Empire State Winter Games boosts skating, skiing

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) - The Empire State Winter Games are growing.

When the games begin Feb. 2 in Lake Placid, athletes will be competing in more events than last year. Organizers have added long-track speed skating, snowboarding, and 90-meter ski jumping returns after a one-year hiatus. A total of 16 disciplines will be contested during the four-day competition.

While short-track speed skating remains a mainstay, long-track skaters will race this year on the same venue where Eric Heiden won a record five Olympic gold medals in 1980. It's also where Lake Placid legend Jack Shea captured two Olympic titles in 1932.

Among sponsors that organizers have signed since a coalition took over the games from the state are Stewart's Shops, Price Chopper, Correctional Eye Care Network Services, Clif Bar, and Cabot Creamery Cooperative.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)