Parallel giant slalom races at Lech-Zürs have been cancelled ©Getty Images

The Alpine Ski World Cup has been hit by another early-season cancellation, this time of the parallel giant slalom races at Lech-Zürs.

Unseasonably warm weather has been blamed for the cancellation by the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV).

A women's race had been scheduled on Saturday (November 12) and a men's contest the following day.

It means seven of the first eight races of the Alpine Ski World Cup season have now been called off.

"The snowfall and the cold temperatures in the last few days gave reason for optimism, but unfortunately the intensity was short-lived," Rupert Steger, the ÖSV division manager for events, said, speaking last week.

Just one Alpine Ski World Cup race has been able to go ahead this season ©Getty Images
Just one Alpine Ski World Cup race has been able to go ahead this season  ©Getty Images

"In addition, a continuous increase in temperature is forecast for the next few days and the race weekend. 

"Under these conditions, it would not be possible to hold fair and, above all, safe World Cup races."

Only a lone men's contest was possible at the season's opening in Sölden, also in Austria, because of inclement weather.

The first-ever cross-boarder World Cup races, planned to straddle the divide between Italy and Switzerland and Cervina and Zermatt, had to be cancelled because of snow conditions.