Persistent fog hanging across the middle sector of the men's downhill course saw the Alpine World Ski Championships blue riband event postponed on Saturday.

Despite clear conditions at the top and the bottom of the piste in St Moritz, the exhilarating speed event was cancelled.

Organisers gave the weather plenty of time to clear up in Switzerland, but after five delays it was finally called off, with a rescheduled date yet to be confirmed.

Norway's Kjetil Jansrud was one of the favourites for gold in the event after an impressive run in the downhill during the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup season, although he has never won a World Championship medal.

Peter Fill of Italy went into the event as discipline leader in the World Cup, while Dominik Paris and Hannes Reichelt were also expected to vie for the title.

Defending champion Patrick Kung was also in the field, along with his fellow 2015 podium sitters Travis Ganong and Beat Feuz.