French winds scrub women's giant slalom

SOLDEU, France, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- World Cup ski officials called off the women's giant slalom in France Friday due to wild winds that tore up gates on the course and blew a tent into a river.

Blustery conditions in the Pyrenees whipped up overnight gusts that reach 100 mph, the U.S. Ski Association said in a written statement.

A tent at the end of the giant slalom course was blown into the Valira d'Orient river in the village of Soldeu, officials said.

The event was scrubbed after a 2 1/2-hour delay. The race was a make-up for the Dec. 17 event in Courchevel, France and one of two giant slaloms on the schedule this weekend in Soldeu.

Germany's Viktoria Rebensburg leads the women's overall giant slalom standings.