Levi: Warm weather stalls racecourse preparation

The Austrian Ski Federation has expressed interest in holding the World Cup men and women's slalom races scheduled for Nov. 10-11 if the slope in Levi, Finland, hasn't received the necessary cold weather and snow.

THE AUSTRIAN SKI FEDERATION has expressed interest in holding the World Cup men and women's slalom races scheduled for Nov. 10-11 if the slope in Levi, Finland, hasn't received the necessary cold weather and snow.
    The organizing committee for the Levi races is trying to prepare the slope but temperatures have been too warm for artificial snowmaking. The automatic snow guns will start making artificial snow once the temperature falls below zero Celsius.
    The weather forecast calls for temperatures below zero for the rest of this week and even colder conditions early next week.   
    Hans Pieren from the FIS is expected in Levi this weekend to inspect the course, and the final decision on organizing the event will be made on Sunday Nov. 4.
    "We will not make the decision before Sunday. However, if the weather forecast doesn't support competition, we can naturally make the decision also earlier," said Janne Leskinen of the Levi organizing committee.
    If the races cannot be held in Finland, a replacement site will be informed of a possible move on Friday