Competitors and fans alike will be hoping the warm weather in Sochi does not affect the quality of the men's super combined skiing final, which is due to take place Friday.
Officials have already moved the time of the downhill stage of the super-combined event from 11 a.m. to 10 a.m when the snow will be harder, but that hasn't stopped some athletes from criticizing the piste.
"If by the luck of the draw … you're running 45 minutes to an hour before somebody who's ranked two points behind" it could make a big difference to the final result, U.S. skier Bode Miller told USA Today, adding that "in these conditions, the course really changes a lot in an hour."
Defending champion Miller faces extra pressure to perform on Friday after a disappointing showing in the men's downhill competition. Despite winning two out of three practice runs, Miller finished down in eighth place in Sunday's final.
However, Miller will face stiff competition from compatriot Ted Ligety, who won three golds in last years world alpine championships in Austria, and is looking to finish among the medals on Friday.
"I want to be able to try to get on the podium or win," Ligety told The Denver Post. "I think that's well within my grasp if I ski well."
The super-combined event sees alpine skiers compete against the clock in two separate disciplines: the slalom and a shortened form of the downhill. The results of both races are aggregated, with medals awarded to the three racers who post the quickest times overall.
The men's super-combined will get under way at 10 a.m. with the downhill event. The second race, the slalom, will follow at 3:30 p.m.
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