Pavel Trikhichev is among the Russian skiers unable to race because of a coronavirus scare ©Getty Images

Russian skiers will not compete at today's International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine Ski World Cup in Sölden after two coaches returned what are believed to be positive tests for COVID-19.

According to TASS, Russia's state-run news agency, the two coaches have been re-tested and told to self-isolate in the meantime.

Three Russian skiers - Alexander Andrienko, Ivan Kuznetsov and Pavel Trikhichev - will not be able to take part in today's men's giant slalom race because they have been in close contact with the coaches.

Andrienko's best World Cup finish last season was 25th in the Adelboden giant slalom in Switzerland.

A 46th-place finish in the Hinterstoder super-G was Kuznetsov's best result.

Trikhichev has four top-10 finishes at World Cup races, all coming in Alpine combined.

Racing in Sölden is taken place above emply grandstands ©Getty Images
Racing in Sölden is taken place above emply grandstands ©Getty Images

The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup leg in the Austrian resort is the first of the new season.

It was moved forward by a week so that competitors could more easily be kept away from casual skiers, while there are no spectators allowed in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus.

The Alpine Ski World Cup calendar also changed in response to the pandemic, with races in North America cancelled and replaced with more European dates to reduce travel.

Italy's Marta Bassino won yesterday's season-opening women's giant slalom contest in Sölden.