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Mild Temperatures Cause Problems on the Mountains

KRASNAYA POLYANA — Mild temperatures at the RusSki Gorki Jumping Center on Monday played havoc with Nordic combined training on the normal hill at the Sochi Olympics.

Temperatures of 15 degrees Celsius and sunny skies softened the snow in the landing area, forcing organizers to cancel the first of three jumps. The second session was postponed after an official said the first competitor fell while landing.

The same hill will be used for the first women's final on Tuesday.

Competition manager Nikolay Petrov said: "The snow in the outrun was too soft … for the safety of the athletes, [so] we canceled the first jump."

The men's final in the Nordic combined normal hill is set for the same time Wednesday.

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