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World Cup downhill ski race at Matterhorn mountain canceled because of snow and strong winds

November 12, 2023 GMT
A view of the finish area of the course of an alpine ski, men's World Cup downhill race after it was canceled, in Cervinia-Zermatt, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. The inaugural World Cup downhill at the storied Matterhorn mountain will have to wait at least one more day after a race Saturday was canceled because of heavy snowfall and strong winds. Race organizers called off plans for the men's downhill soon after 6 a.m. local time at the new Gran Becca course that starts in Switzerland and finishes in Italy. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
A view of the finish area of the course of an alpine ski, men's World Cup downhill race after it was canceled, in Cervinia-Zermatt, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. The inaugural World Cup downhill at the storied Matterhorn mountain will have to wait at least one more day after a race Saturday was canceled because of heavy snowfall and strong winds. Race organizers called off plans for the men's downhill soon after 6 a.m. local time at the new Gran Becca course that starts in Switzerland and finishes in Italy. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

LAGHI CIME BIANCHE, Italy (AP) — More heavy snowfalls and strong winds at the Matterhorn mountain made a men’s World Cup downhill impossible to race Sunday, wiping out the weekend program for the second straight year at the sport’s newest venue.

Race organizers said the cancellation also was forced by the forecast for strong winds throughout Sunday at what is the highest altitude course on the World Cup circuit.

There has still yet to be a downhill race at the Gran Becca course which starts in Switzerland at 3,700 meters (12,100 feet) and crosses the border to finish in Italy. It is intended to be an early-season start for speed racers at a potentially iconic venue.

Last year, the Gran Becca designed by 2010 Olympic men’s downhill champion Didier Defago was to be inaugurated with back-to-back weekends for men’s and women’s downhill racers that all were lost because of a lack of snow.

Two women’s downhills are scheduled next weekend at the course near storied Swiss resort Zermatt.

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    • The men’s World Cup circuit now has started the season with three canceled races because of weather. The season-opening giant slalom at Soelden, Austria two weeks ago was abandoned after 47 starters in the first run because of dangerous winds.

    The men’s World Cup moves to Gurgl, Austria for a slalom scheduled Saturday. Speed racers should now start their season at Beaver Creek, Colorado with two downhills and a super-G scheduled from Dec. 1-3.

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