Winter Olympics officials eliminate two days of halfpipe training as they add snow to venue

Officials eliminate two days of halfpipe training

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Winter Olympics officials will eliminate two days of halfpipe training as they continue to add snow to Cypress Mountain, site of the freestyle and snowboarding events.

Athletes now will have three days of training instead of five. The men’s halfpipe is scheduled for Feb. 17, with the women the following day.

Organizing committee vice president for sport Tim Gayda says “the main thing is to protect the field of play.”

He again insisted Saturday that the freestyle and snowboarding events will not be relocated: “They are taking place at Cypress. One hundred percent.”

Officials now are bringing in additional snow via helicopter, as well as trucking it in from more than 150 miles away.