SESTRIERE, Italy, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Too much snow and fog in the Italian Alps forced cancellation of Sunday's World Cup women's downhill and combined events, officials announced.
The U.S. Ski Association said in a release that the races at Sestriere would not be made up before the Alpine World Ski Championships on Feb. 8, although there will be a slalom and giant-slalom event in Germany Feb. 4-5.
Race Director Atle Skaardal said visibility on the course was down to inches due to a combination of fog and heavy snow that had postponed Saturday's downhill.
"It is a lot of snow and it is still snowing heavily," Skaardal said in a written statement. "Visibility is zero and this weather is going to continue through Monday. There is just no chance."
U.S. head coach Alex Hoedlmoser said weather was always a factor in World Cup skiing and Lindsey Vonn and company would regroup at their Austrian training base.
"The speed group will take a couple of days off and then get right into the preparation period for (the World Championships)," he said. "The technical team has been training hard and will be ready to go next weekend in Zwiesel."
