Testing of Games track put on ice after malfunction

A key testing period for the venue that will host luge, bobsled and skeleton events at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics has been scrapped for now and pushed back until at least October because workers were unable to coat the track with ice.

Organizers said the Alpensia Sliding Centre's refrigeration system failed, and a group of international sliders who were there to assess the venue are all heading home without getting any full runs. It is a significant setback for the track, and workers now may have to scramble for the venue to become fully certified for pre-Olympic test events that are scheduled for next winter.

"Not the best first impression," US luge veteran Chris Mazdzer said on Saturday.