High winds hamper Winter Olympics

Fierce winds are playing havoc at the Winter Olympics where they've repeatedly forced the postponement of events in the mountains, notably Alpine skiing.

Sustained winds of 37 kph with stronger gusts have been howled through the Olympic Park near the coast.

But the International Olympic Committee has played down the disruption.

"As we've said before the International Ski Federation (FIS) is well used to disruption by wind, by too much snow, by too little snow, by too much rain... all sorts of things," Mark Adams the IOC president's spokesman said.


High winds make it dangerous for skiers who're already travelling at as much as 72kph; and in events, such as the slalom, wind that changes direction can be unfair, as some skiers will get a helpful tailwind, while others will be hurt by a headwind.