ALPINE:

Sestriere training scrapped, but downhill set for Saturday

Jan. 28, 2011 — The Canadian Press

SESTRIERE, Italy — Heavy snowfall and low visibility forced organizers to cancel the second training session Friday for a women's World Cup downhill.

The weekend races can still go ahead as scheduled, however, since Thursday's opening training was held as planned. International Ski Federation rules require that at least one training session be held before a downhill race.

The downhill is scheduled for Saturday, followed by a super-combined Sunday.

Swedish standout Anja Paerson led the opening training session.

Overall World Cup leader Maria Riesch has won three downhills this season, while Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn has won two and leads the discipline standings.

This weekend's races are the final speed events before the World Championships.  S-Magazine