Stuttgart, 11 February 2024 (dpa/MIA) — A World Cup slalom in Bulgaria was abandoned on Sunday and biathlon world championship races later in the day in the Czech Republic will be held on a different course than planned as unseasonably warm weather continued to play havoc with winter sport.

Wind and rain led to the slalom in Bansko to be stopped after 31 starters in the first run on a deteriorating piste, and the race was later abandoned without a result.

Two-time season winner Linus Strasser of Germany named the conditions "borderline" after his run with bib 7, and it only got worse later.

Olympic champion Clement Noel was leading at the time but may have straddled a gate.

Alpine skiing has been hit by weather-related cancellations all season, with a dozen races for men and women not staged as planned, most notably in speed events.

Biathlon worlds organizers in Nove Mesto are also suffering from warm temperatures and rain which has softened the slopes.

As a result, Sunday's pursuit races for men and women will take place on a partially different course, organizers said.

Earlier in the week, a full day of training was scrapped to preserve the slopes.