ZERMATT - The start of the men's World Cup skiing season was delayed for a second time on Sunday over "heavy snowfall" at the cross-border venue of Zermatt-Cervinia, organisers said.
"Due to the heavy snowfall starting early this morning, together with the strong wind, with the forecast throughout the day, to ensure the safety situation for everyone, the Jury together with the (organising committee) have decided to cancel today's DH," an International Ski Federation (FIS) spokesperson said on Telegram of the scheduled downhill event.
The opening downhill round had also been scrapped on Saturday over strong winds and heavy snow.
Skiers will have to wait until December 1 for the start of the men's World Cup, when the US leg at Beaver Creek kicks off with two downhill runs and a giant slalom.
The tournament's traditional curtain-raiser, at Soelden in Austria at the end of October, was cancelled due to high winds.
The women's tournament has already begun in Austria and Finland.
The Zermatt-Cervinia event, which will be the first cross-border race in the history of the World Cup, starting in Switzerland and finishing in Italy, had already been overshadowed by environmental issues.
Two women's downhill races are also scheduled for Zermatt-Cervinia next weekend. The events were cancelled last year because of a lack of snow.