SOELDEN, Austria (AP) — Excessive snowfall and strong winds on the Rettenbach glacier have forced the cancellation of the season-opening race of the men's Alpine skiing World Cup on Sunday.
Organizers initially delayed the start of the giant slalom by an hour, but called off the event soon after as no improvement of the weather was forecast.
"It is no longer possible to clean the course from the 50 cm of overnight snowfall and ensure a safe race," governing body FIS said, adding that high winds were blowing fresh snow onto the course as well.
The first race of the women's World Cup on the same course Saturday took place in tough conditions with low clouds and snowfall.
The men will now start their season with a slalom in Levi, Finland, on Nov. 18.
