. world ski news : Alpine World Cup openers canceled due to heavy rainfall, warm weather - 24 October 2006 - 23:37
VIENNA, Austria (AP) ( 24/10/2006 20:04 )_ The opening races of the World Cup ski season were canceled Tuesday because of high rainfall and warm weather predictions in Austria. The International Ski Federation said Tuesday that this weekend's giant slaloms in Soelden will not be rescheduled. "It's just been canceled," FIS official Sonja Reichen said. "They did a great job of preparing the course and everything looked great yesterday, but with all that heavy rain last night, it's not possible." The women's giant slalom had been scheduled for Saturday, followed by a men's giant slalom on Sunday. "Both races were canceled and will not be rescheduled," FIS communications director Christian Knauth said. The next races will take place Nov. 11-12 in Levi, Finland. The FIS said the snow situation in Levi was "very good."
Alpine Opener in Sölden (AUT) cancelled
October 24th, 2006 - The heavy rainfalls during the night from October 23rd to October 24th, 2006 and the very high temperatures have badly damaged the excellently prepared race course in Sölden (AUT).
All precautions were taken by the Organizers. The residual amount of snow and the continuing forecast of high temperatures make it technically impossible to hold the World Cup events on the original race course.
Above the steep part the skiing and training is still possible under good conditions. However, for sportive reasons, as well as due to the requirements in the World Cup Rules, it isn't possible to move the finish area above the steep part.
The Forum Alpinum, planned to coincide with the Season Opener, has also been cancelled.
At this time, the snow situation for the season's first slalom races scheduled at Levi (FIN) on 11th November, 2006 is very good. The race course practically already has the needed amount of snow and the snowcats are already starting to work on the lower part of the course to spread the snow around. The weather forecast is also looking good for the coming days.
FIS
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