OLYMPICS: Women's Olympic Alpine ski course to be made safer

WHISTLER, British Columbia (AP) - The final jump on the women's Olympic Alpine ski course will be changed for safety reasons after a series of crashes marred Wednesday's downhill race.

Sweden's Anja Paerson, a former downhill world champion, seemed headed for a silver medal but flew 60 meters through the air before landing badly and sliding over the line. Paerson bruised her left calf and was shaken up, but otherwise appeared OK, said Sweden team official Uls Lars Emilsson.

Switzerland's Dominique Gisin fell on the same jump.

Race director Atle Skaardal said an icy crest where racers launch into the jump - known as Hot Air - would be lowered before Thursday's super-combined.

The downhill portion of the super-combined is also being shortened to lower racers' speed.