ALPINE:

Soft snow means no-go for Maribor women's tech race

Jan. 16, 2011 — Alpine Canada  

MARIBOR, Slovenia — The women's World Cup slalom race scheduled for Sunday was called off less than two hours before its scheduled start because warm weather damaged the Pohorje course.

Several days of weather reaching up to 59 degrees softened the snow on the slope, which made a safe and fair competition impossible.

Saturday's giant slalom was called off for the same reason after 25 racers finished their run.
FIS has yet to decide if the races will be rescheduled.

The World Cup program is so tight that it's unlikely they will be staged before the World Championships on Feb. 8, said Atle Skaardal, women's race director for the International Ski Federation.

One slalom and one GS race are left before the worlds — in Arber-Zwiesel, Germany, on Feb. 4-5.

The women's World Cup continues Friday with speed races in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.  S-Magazine