The men's giant slalom FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in Sölden was scrapped due to high winds ©Getty Images

The opening race of the men's International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Alpine Ski World Cup season was cancelled due to high winds in the Austrian resort of Sölden.

There had been a huge surprise before the start of competition on Friday (October 27), when last season's overall World Cup winner in the slalom discipline Lucas Braathen of Norway announced his retirement aged just 23.

Braathen won five World Cups events during his career, but said "for the first time in years, I feel free" after taking his decision.

The Norwegian Ski Federation said it was "very surprised" by the decision.

It had reportedly been in dispute with Braathen in recent weeks over image rights.

Norway's Lucas Braathen announced his shock retirement before the start of the season ©Getty Images
Norway's Lucas Braathen announced his shock retirement before the start of the season ©Getty Images

Sölden was hosting a giant slalom event on the Rettenbach course, but it was scrapped after 47 of the 73 athletes had completed their first run because of high winds and no forecast improvement.

"The decision was pretty easy, unfortunately," the FIS men's Alpine chief race director Markus Waldner explained.

"We just double checked with GeoSphere Center in Innsbruck and they just confirmed that the tendency was increasing the wind and not expecting a window, so no chance to complete the first run."

Austrian home favourite Marco Schwarz had led Switzerland's Marco Odermatt by 0.29.

A cross-border men's downhill double in the resort of Zermatt-Cervinia in Switzerland and Italy is the next scheduled event on the men's FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit from November 11 and 12.