US ski star Mikaela Shiffrin’s bid for a first gold of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea was put on hold after high winds forced the women’s giant slalom to be postponed.
Shiffrin, 22, has been compared to Olympic swimming great Michael Phelps as she looks to add to her Olympic tally. She could compete in all five alpine events and was favored to win Monday’s scheduled race.
The women’s giant slalom will now take place on Thursday at Yongpyong Alpine Centre.
High winds also disrupted the alpine schedule at the Jeongseon Alpine Centre, with conditions forcing the men’s downhill to be postponed until Thursday.
Gusts of 50 mph made it impossible for the gondolas taking the skiers up the mountain to be safely operated.
The men’s alpine combined downhill training run, scheduled for Monday, was also canceled, while the men’s super-G has been rescheduled for Friday to make way for the men’s downhill.
On Sunday the women’s slopestyle qualification event, held at Phoenix Park, was also called off because of high winds and the final, which was set for Monday, has also been postponed.