Alpine skiing: Sölden: Men’s giant slalom cancelled

As in the previous year, the alpine skiers have to leave the World Cup opening in Sölden without a race. Fifty centimetres of fresh snow fell overnight on the Rettenbach glacier. Due to the weather forecast with further snowfall and rising wind, it was decided early to cancel the giant slalom.

From the point of view of time, it is no longer possible to bring the snow out of the piste and those into a condition suitable for racing, the International Ski Federation announced.

“The strong wind at the top keeps the snow on course. In addition, the weather forecast for the day shows that wind and snow will not let up.” The decision to cancel had been taken jointly by the jury, the organiser and the Austrian Ski Association.

Due to a rule change it is possible to catch up the giant slalom in the course of the World Cup season. In difficult conditions the women’s giant slalom took place on Saturday, the Frenchwoman Tessa Worley won and Stephanie Brunner came fifth as the best Austrian. The World Cup will continue with one slalom each for women and men on 17th and 18th November in Levi (Finland).

Last year the men’s giant slalom had to be cancelled. At that time the US-American Ted Ligety sensed a conspiracy that the race was deliberately cancelled due to an injury of Marcel Hirscher in order to give the superstar more time for regeneration.