Despite the snowfall, described by a local hotel owner as "like I have never seen here in such a short time," preparations for the competitions are on track, according to IBU Assistant Race Director Ventzeslav Iliev. Contacted by phone at 1400, he commented, "Everything at the stadium is OK. The men completed training and we are just starting the women's training. The organizers have done a good job under hard conditions. The only problem is that the road is closed because of the snow. No one can get in from outside the village."

The road closed early yesterday leaving a few teams short of staff who scheduled to drive to Obertilliach on Thursday. Iliev added, "We heard that the road will open tonight, but I am not sure."

There is so much snow at the Obertilliach venue that the coach's box, normally level with the shooting platform, is now 2 meters higher than the shooting range.

If the weather forecast holds true, the competitors may get a break tomorrow, with only cloudy skies and minus four temperatures. For Sunday's Sprint competitions, unfortunately the forecast is...more snow, as if there was a shortage of the white stuff.