The 2009 world skiing championships will be reduced from three weekends to two weeks, aiming to get rid of possible delays, the French organizers said on Friday.

Val d'Isere in the French Alps will host the last world championships before the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010.

The start of the current championships in Are, Sweden were beset by adverse weather which led to a four-day delay.

Major ski races are often at the mercy of the weather, and this season has been particularly hit as a lack of snow in France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland placed havoc with the World Cup calendar.

World championships are usually held over three weekends to maximise television coverage, and to allow postponed races to be held on 'reserve' days.

Val d'Isere organising committee chief Jean-Paul Pierrat said Friday he was currently studying proposals to reduce the competition.

"What everyone, including the the FIS and EBU (European Broadcasting Union) wants is to reduce that programme by a few days. We have yet to see into how many days we will be able to fit all of the races, and we also have to consider leaving a margin for reserve days," said Pierrat.

A decision by the organisers is set to be taken between now and May, when FIS officials will meet in Portoroz, Slovenia.

(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2007)