The Alpine skiing disciplines are to start on Friday, one day earlier than scheduled, the organizing committee of Harbin Universiade announced on Thursday out of consideration of local weather.

Cai Xiuli, the spokesperson of organizing committee in Yabuli ski resort, confirmed the rescheduling decision for Alpine skiing. The decision came from the routine meeting of Alpine skiing technical commitee on Thursday.

"In the new schedule, women's downhill set to start on 10 a.m. of Feb. 21 was to be staged on 10 a.m. of Feb. 20. It's the same for men's downhill from 12 a.m. of Feb. 21 to the same time of Feb. 20," said Cai.

"Men's ski jump in K125 categary is to come two day earlier from 11 a.m. of Feb. 25 to the same time on Feb. 23," added Cai.

In the new arrangement, there will be 9 gold medals available on Friday, two more than the previous schedule.

According to Cai, the new schedule resulted from the weather conditions in Yabuli ski resort. It will be a sunny day on Feb. 20, but is to be degraded to snow day one day later. It's not for sure for the weather conditions on Feb. 25 instead the weather report tells Feb. 23 will be a fine day.

(Xinhua New Agency February 20, 2009)