Dakar: Stage 6 cancelled

Rain and snow led Dakar Rally officials to cancel the event’s 400-plus-mile sixth stage, scheduled originally to run on Friday, Jan. 6.

The weather affected the course between Fiambala and Copiapo. The cancelation comes on the heels of bad weather on Wednesday that forced officials to shorten stage five.

“Due to the bad weather continuing over the Andes Cordillera, the Chilean authorities were forced to close, for the night, the border at Paso de San Francisco, situated at 4,700 meters,” officials said.

“Because of the unfavorable conditions, added to the fact that the course has been hit by rain and snow, the organizers have decided to guarantee the security of the competitors and those following the rally.”