Super League Canada was the first SLT event to visit North America and was the final qualifer for the lucrative Championship Series races due to culminate in Australia on March 23 and 24 next year.

The decision was taken after the age goup races yesterday had been limited to two of the three scheduled events following close monitoring of the weather conditions and air quality.

Michael D'hulst, co-founder and chief executive of SLT, commented: "We are hugely disappointed that we had to make the difficult decision to call off all racing today, but the safety of our athletes and crew is of paramount importance.

"We have been closely monitoring the weather and the wildfires, and while we hoped the conditions would improve over the weekend, unfortunately, this was not the case.

"The athletes have been kept apprised of conditions and our concerns throughout the weekend, and have been fully supportive of the difficult decisions we have made."

D'hulst added: "Our thoughts are with the firefighters, emergency services and residents who are affected by these fires.

"While disappointed we weren’t able to bring to Penticton today the full excitement of the undoubtedly fantastic racing there would have been, ultimately the race is of secondary importance when weighed against the wildfires being tackled across British Columbia."

SLT announced that those who completed the individual time trial on Friday (August 17) will be invited to the opening Championship Series race in Jersey, with the prize money which would have been awarded at Penticton now being used to contribute to flights for the athletes.

In Jersey the athletes will be able to race against the other 20 professionals who have already booked their places for the Championship Series.

The top five from the Penticton event there will be offered the chance to continue in the Series.