The 2009 world skiing championships will be reduced from three
weekends to two weeks, aiming to get rid of possible delays, the
French organizers said on Friday.
Val d'Isere in the French Alps will host the last world
championships before the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010.
The start of the current championships in Are, Sweden were beset
by adverse weather which led to a four-day delay.
Major ski races are often at the mercy of the weather, and this
season has been particularly hit as a lack of snow in France,
Italy, Austria and Switzerland placed havoc with the World Cup
calendar.
World championships are usually held over three weekends to
maximise television coverage, and to allow postponed races to be
held on 'reserve' days.
Val d'Isere organising committee chief Jean-Paul Pierrat said
Friday he was currently studying proposals to reduce the
competition.
"What everyone, including the the FIS and EBU (European
Broadcasting Union) wants is to reduce that programme by a few
days. We have yet to see into how many days we will be able to fit
all of the races, and we also have to consider leaving a margin for
reserve days," said Pierrat.
A decision by the organisers is set to be taken between now and
May, when FIS officials will meet in Portoroz, Slovenia.
(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2007)