Mikaela Shiffrin’s chances of extending her three-year reign as overall champion took another hit when the World Cup skiing finals were canceled Friday because of the virus outbreak.
Shiffrin already lost her lead in the standings because of a month-long absence following the death of her father.
Shiffrin announced on Thursday that she was returning to the circuit in Europe but now she has only one set of races left in Åre, Sweden — if she enters — to try to erase her 153-point deficit to Italian rival Federica Brignone.
Considering the virus, the Italian Winter Sports Federation was hoping to host the finals, scheduled for March 18-22 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, without fans.