Sixth stage of Dakar Rally cancelled due to snow

Jan 6, 2012, 13:18 GMT

Fiambala, Argentina - The sixth stage of the Dakar Rally, due to take participants across the Andes Friday from the Argentine town of Fiambala to Copiapo in Chile, was cancelled due to rain and unseasonal snow.

'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 4700 metres,' race organizers said on their website.

Snow has been falling for days on the mountain pass, which is unusual given that it is summer in the southern hemisphere.

'In order to guarantee the security of the competitors and those following the rally, the organisers have decided to organise a convoy for all vehicles,' the statement said.

Rain had already led Dakar Rally authorities to delay and shorten Thursday's stage.

The prestigious offroad endurance race was to pick up again Saturday in Copiapo, Chile.

After five stages in Argentina, Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel led the car section of the race, followed by Pole Krzysztof Holowczyc. Frenchman Cyril Despres was at the top of the motorbikes' overall standings, ahead of defending champion Marc Coma of Spain.

The Dakar Rally is being held for the fourth straight year in South America. It took place in Africa from 1979-2007 but was moved to Argentina and Chile after fears of terrorist attacks in Mauritania led to a cancellation of the annual event in 2008.

A total of 469 vehicles - cars, motorbikes, quads and trucks - set out from the Argentine seaside city of Mar del Plata on January 1. Following 14 stages and more than 8,000 kilometres, including more than 4,000 kilometres of timed specials, the race is to end January 15 in Lima, Peru.