BERLIN, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Heavy snowfall overnight forced the cancellation of a men's World Cup downhill ski race at the German venue of Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Saturday.

Officials had first lowered the start but racing was eventually not possible at all owing to the adverse conditions.

A giant slalom is scheduled for Sunday in Garmisch, the last race before the February 5-17 world championships in Are, Sweden.

The women were in action Saturday in their final race before the worlds, with American star Mikaela Shiffrin leading a slalom in Maribor, Slovenia, one second ahead of Slovak rival Petra Vlhova. The two had shared first place in a giant slalom Friday.