World Cup ski races in the French Alps canceled

VAL D'ISERE, France (AP) Four World Cup ski races scheduled in the French Alps next week have been canceled because of a lack of snow and rescheduled in Sweden.

The International Ski Federation (FIS) says the warm temperatures in the resorts of Val d'Isere and Courchevel were a concern and decided to move the events to the Swedish resort of Are.

A men's World Cup giant slalom and slalom were scheduled for Dec. 13-14 in Val d'Isere, while Courchevel was set to host two technical races over the same weekend on the women's World Cup circuit.

Instead, the races will be held over three days in Sweden, with the men's giant slalom taking place during a night session.

Courchevel organizers regretted the decision, saying they were confident there would have been enough snow to run one of the two scheduled races, with snowfalls and a cold wave expected in the area in the coming days.

''The FIS has chosen not to take any risk,'' said Courchevel's Sports Club director Bruno Tuaire.