New ski-cross event said no hurdle for 2010 Games

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov 29 (Reuters) Adding a new event, the ski cross, to the 2010 Winter Olympics will require only minor adjustments to facilities already under construction for the Vancouver Games, an official of the organizing committee said.

Designers knew the International Olympic Committee was considering adding the sport when they planned facilities for Vancouver, and will use the course being set up for the snowboard cross competition for the ski cross.

The IOC, meeting in Kuwait, gave the green light yesterday for ski cross to make its debut at the 2010 Games, leaving it up to the Vancouver Organizing Committee to agree to the sport.

''It should only require minor tweaks,'' said Cathy Priestner-Allinger, vice president of sport for the Vancouver committee.

Ski cross involves four skiers who race simultaneously down a course with bumbs, rolls and banks, and is similar to snowboard cross competition that proved popular at 2006 Olympics in Turin.

The IOC rejected several sports that had been under consideration for the Vancouver Games, including women's ski jumping.

REUTERS AY ND0940