World Cup cross country openers moved from Ostersund to Gallivare

World Cup cross country openers moved from Ostersund to Gallivare{mosimage}STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Cross country skiing’s World Cup season openers next weekend were moved to Gallivare, Sweden, north of the Arctic Circle, because of a snow shortage in Ostersund. The decision came Friday after an inspection at the ski stadium in Ostersund.

“Unfortunately, the weather has not cooperated,” said Tommy Borgh, chairman of the local organizing committee. “We have not been able to make artificial snow because it has not been cold enough and the forecast for the next couple of days doesn’t look promising. So we’re giving up, but we hope we’ll get another chance in the future.”

Organizers in Gallivare, where there is plenty of natural snow, said they had several tracks ready for the Nov. 20-21 meet that includes a 15-kilometer classical-style race for men, a 10-kilometer classical-style race for women, and relays. -The Associated Press