Lots of new snow and strong winds at Mount Alyeska in Girdwood on Monday forced a one-day postponement of the alpine ski event of the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games. "They made the decision for the safety of the athletes," said Stacy Schubert, a spokeswoman for the Games.

Over a period of about 24 hours ending at 2:30 p.m., the mountain received more than two feet of fresh snow at the top and more than a foot at the bottom, said Alyeska snow safety director Jim Kennedy. Winds at the top were blowing about 20 mph with stronger gusts, creating potential instability on the chairlift and possible avalanche conditions, he said.