Women’s downhill postponed

Course workers close off the piste after Monday's cancellation Keystone

Winter Olympic organisers were forced to postpone the women's alpine skiing downhill by 24 hours on Monday due to strong winds on the upper part of the piste.

The difficult conditions initially prompted the Salt Lake City officials to push back the starting time by one, and then two hours.

Now the women will have to wait until Tuesday to prove who is the world’s fastest in the downhill event.

Switzerland have three women entered in the prestigious downhill race. Sylviane Berthod is seen as a possible outsider for medal glory in the fastest of the skiing disciplines, following her first ever World Cup victory in the St Moritz downhill shortly before Christmas.

Rey-Bellet’s time at last?

Corinne Rey-Bellet, who injured herself just before the Olympics, will also be in the chase for what would be the Swiss skier’s first ever medal at a major tournament.

Catherine Borghi is less likely to feature on the downhill podium, although the 25-year-old from canton Vaud appears to be skiing better than ever this season, having twice finished fourth on the World Cup circuit.

Current World Cup downhill leader Isolde Kostner is one of the favourites for the downhill gold, along with Austria’s Renate Götschl and Germany’s Hilde Gerg.

swissinfo with agencies