Levi in Finland is all ready for the first Alpine event of the FIS World Cup this season with more than 0.5m of snow and temperatures of around -10C. The competition course has already been prepared and is now being iced to ensure equal and challenging conditions. The event will include both ladies' and men's slaloms this year. The races will be held on the famous Levi Black course that features 172m of altitude drop.
Britain's Alain Baxter could miss the opening race for the first time in 9 years, as his wife Sheila is due to give birth to their first child.
...If he decides not race, his start place will go to younger half-brother Noel.
Ted Ligety, the 2006 Olympic combined gold medalist from the States has broken his hand and has been practising using only one pole. But, he is still planning to take part in the race, and to use two poles on the day.
Germany's Annemarie Gerg, who had three top five finishes in the World Cup slalom last season, may miss the race because of a knee problem.