Cuche to be fined, warned over 'attack' threat

Swiss skier Didier Cuche is to receive a written warning and a fine for threatening to "attack" a referee if a dangerous jump was not removed from the Olympiabakken World Cup course.

The International Ski Federation (FIS) says Cuche telephoned race director Gunter Hujara late Thursday and said: "If you don't take the jump down and anything happens, I will not hesitate to attack you in public."

Cuche, the defending World Cup downhill champion, will be fined $5,400 for unsportsmanlike behavior.

"We have no problem with him complaining about the jump," Hujara told The Associated Press. "It's the way he said it that's the problem."

The FIS race jury unanimously decided to sanction the skier, but Hujara said that the offense was "not too serious."

"It's like a yellow card in football," he said.

Cuche was not available for comment.

The 36-year-old skier finished fifth in Friday's downhill. He also races Saturday and seeks to extend his 50-point lead at the top of the World Cup downhill standings.