Alpine skiing - Opening men's race cancelled because of high winds

VIENNA (Reuters) - The opening men's race of the World Cup Alpine skiing season, the giant slalom in the Austrian resort of Soelden, was cancelled on Sunday because of high winds, organisers said.

The International Skiing Federation (FIS) said the wind was "extremely powerful" with gusts of up to 120 kilometres per hour measured at a nearby weather station.

"This makes it impossible to hold a safe World Cup event. Therefore, the jury decided to cancel the race," added the FIS in a statement.

"Safety comes first, we had no other choice than to cancel,” said FIS Chief Race Director Markus Waldner. Under FIS rules, the race will not be rescheduled.

(Writing by Brian Homewood in Berne; Editing by Clare Fallon)