Are: High winds feared for opening super G

Although the opening super G at the World Championships could be delayed by strong winds, organizers don't believe any event will be canceled due to adverse weather.

ARE, Sweden — Although the opening super G at the World Championships could be delayed by strong winds, organizers don't believe any event will be canceled due to adverse weather.
    Heavy winds are predicted for the 12:30 p.m. local (6:30 a.m. ET) start of the men's super G on Saturday, but the race is unlikely to be moved to another day.
    ''If everything goes wrong, we could have to postpone half an hour or an hour, until we can start with the super G,'' International Ski Federation President Gian Franco Kasper said Friday.
    The Swedish ski resort is one of few in Europe that has received plenty of snow this winter. But Friday brought warm temperatures and rain to Are, and it began snowing heavily in the late afternoon. And with strong winds predicted, there are fears that the weather may still be a factor during the Feb. 3-18 championships.
    Kasper said Are is renowned for its shifting conditions — which may actually be helpful for organizers.
    "We don't worry at all,'' he said. ''There is no reason to panic or start thinking about rescheduling. Rain or no rain, the courses won't be touched. They're more than hard, they're more than well-prepared.''
    Kasper described Are as often having ''four seasons in one day,'' meaning troublesome winds or heavy snow are usually followed by better conditions.
    ''If we have bad weather or there is a lot of wind, in an hour or two the thing is over and another season starts,'' Kasper said. ''So for us, it's not too bad, because rescheduling is very easy with this four-seasons system.''
    Lasse Lindqvist, who heads the organizing committee, is confident the Are slopes will hold up for Are's first World Championships since 1954 — with some help from the weather gods.
    ''We only get one chance, so I know we need to have some good luck with the representatives in heaven,'' Lindqvist said.
    The women's super G starts at 12:30 local time on Sunday.