ALPINE:

Maribor’s warm temps shut down women’s GS

Jan. 15, 2011 — The Canadian Press 

MARIBOR, Slovenia ― The women's World Cup giant slalom race on Saturday was canceled after 25 racers because of warm weather that caused poor course conditions.

Temperatures were nearly 60 degrees in Slovenia, which softened the snow over the past few days. Course workers tried to harden it by injecting water and chemicals into the snow, but the condition of the slope worsened during the race.

Organizers interrupted the competition after 25 racers to allow workers onto the slope in an attempt to repair it for the remaining 47 skiers. However, women's race director Atle Skaardal decided to call the event 20 minutes later because a fair and safe competition was impossible.

It was not immediately clear when or where the race could be rescheduled.

The women's World Cup calendar contains just one more giant slalom event prior to next month's World Championships ― on Feb. 4 in Arber-Zwiesel, Germany.

In an attempt to protect the Pohorje slope, FIS had taken the unusual measure of completely closing the race line on the course until the start of the event. As a result, racers and their coaches were not allowed too close to the gates during the pre-race course inspection.

Early starters had an obvious advantage. Olympic champion Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany started first and posted the fastest time of 1 minute, 11.35 seconds, 0.07 ahead of Slovenia's Tina Maze, who wore bib No. 2.

All racers starting No. 16 or higher finished at least 2 seconds off the leading time.

"I had a good course judged by the conditions," Rebensburg said. "It's just extremely warm for a ski race. They have done everything they can, but it was hard to stage a race here."

Overall World Cup leader Maria Riesch was 0.21 back in third, while three-time defending champion Lindsey Vonn was the fastest starter but lost almost 2 seconds to Rebensburg in the weakened middle part of the course and finished 1.60 behind the German.

A decision about Sunday's slalom on the same course will be made shortly before the race. S-Magazine